A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.
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The most recent plaques:

The Camels of Fort Tejon

  A more newer, more detailed plaque from 2003 (see http://readtheplaque.com/713) “The Camels of Fort Tejon” In 1856 the US Army started an experiment using camel (sic) for supply transport in the...

  A more newer, more detailed plaque from 2003 (see http://readtheplaque.com/713) “The Camels of Fort Tejon” In 1856 the US Army started an experiment using camel (sic) for supply transport in the...

  • camels
  • tejon pass
  • california
  • los angeles
  • ecv

Fort Tejon Camel Brigade

One of three plaques commemorating the Camel Brigade of Fort Tejon, in Tejon Pass in Lebec, CA. Plaque reads “The first and only ‘Camel Brigade’ of the United States Army, commanded by Lt. Edward...

One of three plaques commemorating the Camel Brigade of Fort Tejon, in Tejon Pass in Lebec, CA. Plaque reads “The first and only ‘Camel Brigade’ of the United States Army, commanded by Lt....

  • camels
  • tejon pass

Standard Time System in the United States

  Located on the northeast corner of LaSalle and Jackson, Chicago, on the south side of the building. “Chicago’s famous Grand Pacific Hotel, then on the site of the present Continental Bank...

  Located on the northeast corner of LaSalle and Jackson, Chicago, on the south side of the building. “Chicago’s famous Grand Pacific Hotel, then on the site of the present Continental...

  • chicago
  • clocks
  • railroads
  • time

David H. Miller Working Museum

The plaque is located in the working museum which contains the lift works for the Duquesne Incline, in Pittsburg PA. 40.438282, -80.018804 Dedicated to David Miller and his vision of the...

The plaque is located in the working museum which contains the lift works for the Duquesne Incline, in Pittsburg PA. 40.438282, -80.018804 Dedicated to David Miller and his vision of the...

  • david miller
  • duquesne incline
  • pittsburg

USMC World Headquarters, c. 1902

This plaque is in front of the Cummings Center in Beverly, MA. The massive complex was known as “The Shoe” for many, many years. Rough GPS location is 42.556744, -70.888308.Transcription: Once the...

This plaque is in front of the Cummings Center in Beverly, MA. The massive complex was known as “The Shoe” for many, many years. Rough GPS location is 42.556744, -70.888308.Transcription: Once...

  • beverly
  • el ransome
  • massachusetts
  • reinforced concrete
  • the shoe
  • usmc world h...

In memoriam

“Agnes Wolcott Vaille – This shelter commemorates a Colorado mountaineer conquered by winter after scaling the precipice January 12th, 1925, and one who lost his life in an effort to aid her,...

“Agnes Wolcott Vaille – This shelter commemorates a Colorado mountaineer conquered by winter after scaling the precipice January 12th, 1925, and one who lost his life in an effort to aid her,...

  • 14er
  • agnes wolcott vaille
  • colorado
  • herbert sortland
  • longs peak

Case Research Lab

“Case Research Lab – Birthplace of talking movies in 1924. Theodore Case developed sound film and partnered with Fox Studios to create Movietone News. City of Auburn, NY 2004”The Cayuga...

“Case Research Lab – Birthplace of talking movies in 1924. Theodore Case developed sound film and partnered with Fox Studios to create Movietone News. City of Auburn, NY 2004”The...

  • auburn
  • case lab
  • fox studios
  • movies
  • new york
  • sound
  • talkies

Pacheco School Flagpole

Currently at7500 Red Hill Rd Novato, CA 94947 38.138318, -122.710344(Marin French Cheese Company).“This flagpole originally flew ‘old glory’ over Pacheco School, Nicasio, Calif, from 1895 to...

Currently at7500 Red Hill Rd Novato, CA 94947 38.138318, -122.710344(Marin French Cheese Company).“This flagpole originally flew ‘old glory’ over Pacheco School, Nicasio, Calif, from 1895 to...

  • cheese marin
  • flagpole
  • old glory
  • pacheco

Marin French Cheese Company

7500 Red Hill Rd Novato, CA 94947 38.138318, -122.710344Marin French Cheese CompanyThis site is part of the Corte Madera de Novato Granted by Govenor Juan Alvarado to John Martin in 1840,...

7500 Red Hill Rd Novato, CA 94947 38.138318, -122.710344Marin French Cheese CompanyThis site is part of the Corte Madera de Novato Granted by Govenor Juan Alvarado to John Martin in...

  • cheese
  • france
  • marin

First Railroad

FIRST RAILROADThe Buffalo & Niagara Falls Railway, the first Western New York steam railway, cut through dense forest here by Military Road in 1836.William G Pomeroy Foundation 2013Location:...

FIRST RAILROADThe Buffalo & Niagara Falls Railway, the first Western New York steam railway, cut through dense forest here by Military Road in 1836.William G Pomeroy Foundation...

  • buffalo
  • railroad

Gouldsboro Railcar Transfer Ferry

This plaque lies in the grass next to a bike path that runs along the “west bank” of the Mississippi River from Algiers Point to Gretna, across the river from New Orleans. The trail is atop the...

This plaque lies in the grass next to a bike path that runs along the “west bank” of the Mississippi River from Algiers Point to Gretna, across the river from New Orleans. The trail is atop...

  • ferry
  • new orleans
  • railway
  • train

Central Park Chapel

  1175 Floral St, Holland, MI 49423

  1175 Floral St, Holland, MI 49423

  • chapel
  • holland

Telsa Died Here

  I first encountered this plaque while waiting to board a Bolt Bus. It was the first death plaque I had ever encountered. I loved it because of the lack of detail. At the time I pictured him...

  I first encountered this plaque while waiting to board a Bolt Bus. It was the first death plaque I had ever encountered. I loved it because of the lack of detail. At the time I pictured him...

  • death plaque
  • telsa
  • new york
  • nyc
  • alternating ...

Mape Memorial Park

Commander John “Jack” Clement Mape USN, was Dublin’s first casualty of the Vietnam War. A 40 year old father of seven, Mape lived in Dublin and was stationed in Alameda, CA. He was assigned to...

Commander John “Jack” Clement Mape USN, was Dublin’s first casualty of the Vietnam War. A 40 year old father of seven, Mape lived in Dublin and was stationed in Alameda, CA. He was assigned...

    Manchester Biscuit Company

    To the southwest is the Manchester Biscuit Company building. The company was formed in 1902 when Lawrence D. Manchester was persuaded by financial backing from local wholesale grocers to purchase...

    To the southwest is the Manchester Biscuit Company building. The company was formed in 1902 when Lawrence D. Manchester was persuaded by financial backing from local wholesale grocers to...

      Fort Dakota

      On the west side of the River was the site of Fort Dakota. Sioux Falls, initially settled in 1857, was evacuated when the “Dakota War” of 1862 in southwest Minnesota threatened the settlement and...

      On the west side of the River was the site of Fort Dakota. Sioux Falls, initially settled in 1857, was evacuated when the “Dakota War” of 1862 in southwest Minnesota threatened the settlement...

        Cascade Milling Company

        The Cascade Milling Company, built in 1877 for E.A. Sherman and other investors, was located on the east bank of the river and north of the 8th Street bridge. The Company became the first to sell...

        The Cascade Milling Company, built in 1877 for E.A. Sherman and other investors, was located on the east bank of the river and north of the 8th Street bridge. The Company became the first to sell...

          Mt. Wright Memorial Plaque

            This plaque is located at the summit of Wright Peak, the 16th highest peak in the High Peaks of the Adirondack Park of New York, USA. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_Peak Plaque reads: “In...

            This plaque is located at the summit of Wright Peak, the 16th highest peak in the High Peaks of the Adirondack Park of New York, USA. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_Peak Plaque reads: “In...

          • memorial
          • adirondacks
          • highpeaks
          • wright peak
          • airforce

          The Battle of Musgrove Mill

            Musgrove Mill State Historic Site. Lat 34°35’15.69″N, Long 81°51’6.69″W. On Musgrove Mill Road, near the intersection with Hwy SC-56, Laurens County, South Carolina. THE BATTLE OF MUSGROVE MILL ...

            Musgrove Mill State Historic Site. Lat 34°35’15.69″N, Long 81°51’6.69″W. On Musgrove Mill Road, near the intersection with Hwy SC-56, Laurens County, South Carolina. THE BATTLE OF MUSGROVE MILL ...

          • enoree river
          • revolutionary war
          • william musg...

          Historic Oregon Trail

          Historic Oregon Trail Sandy River Bridge On October 30, 1792 off the point in the Columbia river where the Sandy empties its waters, the boat crew from the H.M.S. Chatham (Vancouver’s voyages)...

          Historic Oregon Trail Sandy River Bridge On October 30, 1792 off the point in the Columbia river where the Sandy empties its waters, the boat crew from the H.M.S. Chatham (Vancouver’s...

          • lewis and clark
          • united state...
          • history
          • oregon
          • trail