A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.
Explore the 20,000+ worldwide plaques on the Big Map big map screenshot
The most recent plaques:

Stephen Butler Leacock 1869-1944

Born in England, Leacock was educated at Upper Canada College and at the Universities of Toronto and Chicago. He spent the greater part of his career at McGill, teaching and publishing in the...

Born in England, Leacock was educated at Upper Canada College and at the Universities of Toronto and Chicago. He spent the greater part of his career at McGill, teaching and publishing in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Andrew's Church 1812

Following the organization of a Presbyterian congregation in 1787, a log church was erected here and replaced in 1806 by a stone structure. The present church was begun in 1812. Its bell was...

Following the organization of a Presbyterian congregation in 1787, a log church was erected here and replaced in 1806 by a stone structure. The present church was begun in 1812. Its bell...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sergeant Frederick Hobson, VC 1873-1917

An Englishman, Frederick Hobson emigrated to Canada in 1904 after serving in the South African War. Eight years later, he moved to Galt (now Cambridge) with his family. When war broke out in 1914,...

An Englishman, Frederick Hobson emigrated to Canada in 1904 after serving in the South African War. Eight years later, he moved to Galt (now Cambridge) with his family. When war broke out in 1914,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Peter's Church 1827

A fine example of early Gothic Revival architecture, this Anglican church lies in the midst of the original "Talbot Settlement." The nave was erected by the congregation in 1827. The belfry and...

A fine example of early Gothic Revival architecture, this Anglican church lies in the midst of the original "Talbot Settlement." The nave was erected by the congregation in 1827. The belfry and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir John Alexander Macdonald (1815-1891)

This Kingston lawyer was the chief architect of Confederation, which led to the creation of the Dominion of Canada on July 1st, 1867. He was Canada's first Prime Minister and led the country for...

This Kingston lawyer was the chief architect of Confederation, which led to the creation of the Dominion of Canada on July 1st, 1867. He was Canada's first Prime Minister and led the country for...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir William Pearce Howland 1811-1907

The only American born Father of Confederation, Sir William P. Howland was a native of Paulings, N.Y. and in 1830 settled in Cooksville. In the 1840's his extensive business interests became...

The only American born Father of Confederation, Sir William P. Howland was a native of Paulings, N.Y. and in 1830 settled in Cooksville. In the 1840's his extensive business interests...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Paul's 1785 H.M. Chapel of the Mohawks

This chapel, the first Protestant church in Ontario, was built by the Crown for the Mohawks of the Six Nations Iroquois who settled here in 1794. It replaced the Queen Anne Chapel (1712) at Fort...

This chapel, the first Protestant church in Ontario, was built by the Crown for the Mohawks of the Six Nations Iroquois who settled here in 1794. It replaced the Queen Anne Chapel (1712) at...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Stratford City Hall

Stratford's spacious civic square has been the site of the city's municipal buildings since 1857. Construction began on the present city hall after the destruction of the first town hall and...

Stratford's spacious civic square has been the site of the city's municipal buildings since 1857. Construction began on the present city hall after the destruction of the first town hall and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Sam Steele

Born near Orillia, in 1851, an original member of the N.W.M.P., 1873, Superintendent, 1885-1903, Steele played an important role in establishing order in Western Canada, holding commands...

Born near Orillia, in 1851, an original member of the N.W.M.P., 1873, Superintendent, 1885-1903, Steele played an important role in establishing order in Western Canada, holding...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir James Pliny Whitney 1843-1914

Born in Williamsburg and educated at the Cornwall Grammar School, Whitney was called to the Bar in 1876. He was elected to the legislative assembly as Conservative member for Dundas in 1888. A...

Born in Williamsburg and educated at the Cornwall Grammar School, Whitney was called to the Bar in 1876. He was elected to the legislative assembly as Conservative member for Dundas in 1888. A...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. James-on-the- Lines 1836

This garrison church was erected 1836-38 on the Penetanguishene military reserve. It was also attended by military pensioners and civilians since, until the 1870's, it housed the only Protestant...

This garrison church was erected 1836-38 on the Penetanguishene military reserve. It was also attended by military pensioners and civilians since, until the 1870's, it housed the only Protestant...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Schooner Town

The Nottawasaga River formed part of a transportation link between Lake Ontario and the Upper Great Lakes which became a vitally important supply route to British Western posts during the War of...

The Nottawasaga River formed part of a transportation link between Lake Ontario and the Upper Great Lakes which became a vitally important supply route to British Western posts during the War of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Sinking of the "Mary Ward"

On the night of November 24, 1872, the steamer "Mary Ward" ran aground on Milligan's Reef, two kilometres offshore. Recently purchased by five Owen Sound men, the vessel was making the trip from...

On the night of November 24, 1872, the steamer "Mary Ward" ran aground on Milligan's Reef, two kilometres offshore. Recently purchased by five Owen Sound men, the vessel was making the trip from...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. Paul's Church

Begun in 1854 and completed three years later, this Presbyterian church was designed in the Gothic Revival Style by architect William Thomas. The elegant 24 m spire set atop a 30 m tower marks the...

Begun in 1854 and completed three years later, this Presbyterian church was designed in the Gothic Revival Style by architect William Thomas. The elegant 24 m spire set atop a 30 m tower marks the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sharon Temple

This elegant structure stands as testament to the faith and good works of the Children of Peace. In 1825-1832 master carpenters Ebenezer and John Doan constructed it to the plans of religious...

This elegant structure stands as testament to the faith and good works of the Children of Peace. In 1825-1832 master carpenters Ebenezer and John Doan constructed it to the plans of religious...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Skirmish at McCrae's House

Following the defeat of the British at the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813, American forces controlled the Thames Valley west of Moraviantown. In early December a detachment of 3 officers...

Following the defeat of the British at the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813, American forces controlled the Thames Valley west of Moraviantown. In early December a detachment of 3 officers...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Sir Collingwood Schreiber 1831-1918

This community, originally known as Isbester's Landing, was named in 1885 after Collingwood G. Schreiber. Born at Bradwell Lodge, near Colchester, England, Schreiber emigrated to Canada West in...

This community, originally known as Isbester's Landing, was named in 1885 after Collingwood G. Schreiber. Born at Bradwell Lodge, near Colchester, England, Schreiber emigrated to Canada West in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The St. Clair Tunnel

The first international submarine railway tunnel in North America was built here, 1889-9, by the Grand Trunk Railway Company of Canada. It connects Sarnia with Port Huron, Michigan. To compete...

The first international submarine railway tunnel in North America was built here, 1889-9, by the Grand Trunk Railway Company of Canada. It connects Sarnia with Port Huron, Michigan. To compete...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Skirmishes at the Canard River

In the War of 1812, the first engagement in Canada involving British and American forces in significant numbers occurred here on the Canard River. On July 12, 1812, Brigadier-General William Hull...

In the War of 1812, the first engagement in Canada involving British and American forces in significant numbers occurred here on the Canard River. On July 12, 1812, Brigadier-General William Hull...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

St. John's Church 1834

An Anglican congregation was formed in Peterborough by the Rev. Samuel Armour in 1826. Services were held in a schoolhouse until the building of St. John's which was begun in 1834 and opened in...

An Anglican congregation was formed in Peterborough by the Rev. Samuel Armour in 1826. Services were held in a schoolhouse until the building of St. John's which was begun in 1834 and opened in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown