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The most recent plaques:

R. Thomas Orr 1870-1957

A life-long member of the Stratford Parks Board, R. Thomas Orr was the driving force behind the Stratford parks system. Orr led the fight to save the riverfront and millpond from railway...

A life-long member of the Stratford Parks Board, R. Thomas Orr was the driving force behind the Stratford parks system. Orr led the fight to save the riverfront and millpond from...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Rosseau- Nipissing Road

Designed to encourage settlement in what is now the Parry Sound District, the Rosseau-Nipissing Road was authorized by the government in 1864. A survey was completed the following year by J.S....

Designed to encourage settlement in what is now the Parry Sound District, the Rosseau-Nipissing Road was authorized by the government in 1864. A survey was completed the following year by...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Richmond Military Settlement 1818

In August, 1818, some thirty disbanded veterans of the 99th Regiment, led by Captain G.T. Burke, arrived in newly surveyed Goulbourn Township. These formed the advanced party of a military...

In August, 1818, some thirty disbanded veterans of the 99th Regiment, led by Captain G.T. Burke, arrived in newly surveyed Goulbourn Township. These formed the advanced party of a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Royal Sappers and Miners

In 1827 the Royal Sappers and Miners, the special construction corps of the British Army, raised the 7th and 15th Companies to serve in the building of the Rideau Canal. Comprising 160 skilled...

In 1827 the Royal Sappers and Miners, the special construction corps of the British Army, raised the 7th and 15th Companies to serve in the building of the Rideau Canal. Comprising 160 skilled...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Rosamond Woolen Company

Between 1840 and 1870 woolen manufacturing emerged as a major Canadian industry. Mills were built in areas such as the Mississippi Valley, where waterpower, labour and wool supplies were abundant....

Between 1840 and 1870 woolen manufacturing emerged as a major Canadian industry. Mills were built in areas such as the Mississippi Valley, where waterpower, labour and wool supplies were abundant....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

RCAF Technical Training School

The only facility of its kind in Ontario during the Second World War, No. 1 Technical Training School, St. Thomas, was established by the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1939 to produce skilled ground...

The only facility of its kind in Ontario during the Second World War, No. 1 Technical Training School, St. Thomas, was established by the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1939 to produce skilled ground...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Reverend Johann Samuel Schwerdtfeger 1734-1803

The first Lutheran minister to settle in this province, Schwerdtfeger was born in Burgbernheim, Bavaria, and studied theology at the University of Erlangen. Emigrating to America in 1753, he...

The first Lutheran minister to settle in this province, Schwerdtfeger was born in Burgbernheim, Bavaria, and studied theology at the University of Erlangen. Emigrating to America in 1753, he...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Red Fife Wheat

Red Fife Wheat, an early maturing, high quality variety, was discovered in 1842 by David Fife in an experimental plot on his farm here. For over 60 years it was "spring wheat" in Canada. It opened...

Red Fife Wheat, an early maturing, high quality variety, was discovered in 1842 by David Fife in an experimental plot on his farm here. For over 60 years it was "spring wheat" in Canada. It...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Rivers and Streams Act of 1884

In the 1870s, Boyd Caldwell and Peter McLaren both owned timber rights on the upper Mississippi River. McLaren built a dam and timber slide at High Falls and refused to let Caldwell use the slide....

In the 1870s, Boyd Caldwell and Peter McLaren both owned timber rights on the upper Mississippi River. McLaren built a dam and timber slide at High Falls and refused to let Caldwell use the slide....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Royal Canadian Air Force No. 6 Service Flying Training School

With the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, one of Canada's major responsibilities was to provide air training facilities far removed from the theatre of war and so on December 17, 1939, the British...

With the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, one of Canada's major responsibilities was to provide air training facilities far removed from the theatre of war and so on December 17, 1939, the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Reesor Siding Incident 1963

This is the site of one of the bloodiest clashes in Canadian labour history. In January 1963, a contract dispute led to a strike by members of the Lumber and Sawmill Workers' Union who cut...

This is the site of one of the bloodiest clashes in Canadian labour history. In January 1963, a contract dispute led to a strike by members of the Lumber and Sawmill Workers' Union who cut...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Reverend George Buchanan 1761-1835

Born at Coupar-Angus, Scotland, Buchanan graduated in medicine from Edinburgh University. He later became a Presbyterian minister and was called to Upper Canada. He arrived in Beckwith Township in...

Born at Coupar-Angus, Scotland, Buchanan graduated in medicine from Edinburgh University. He later became a Presbyterian minister and was called to Upper Canada. He arrived in Beckwith Township...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Reverend Charles Alfred Marie Paradis 1848-1926

Born in Kamouraska County, Québec, Paradis studied at Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière College and taught art in Ottawa. Following his ordination in 1881 he was posted to Lake Timiskaming as missionary...

Born in Kamouraska County, Québec, Paradis studied at Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière College and taught art in Ottawa. Following his ordination in 1881 he was posted to Lake Timiskaming as missionary...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Rosvall and Voutilainen

On November 18, 1929, Finnish-Canadians Viljo Rosvall and Janne Voutilainen left the Port Arthur area for Onion Lake, 20 kilometres upstream from here to recruit bushworkers for a strike. Their...

On November 18, 1929, Finnish-Canadians Viljo Rosvall and Janne Voutilainen left the Port Arthur area for Onion Lake, 20 kilometres upstream from here to recruit bushworkers for a strike....

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Robert F. Gourlay 1778-1863

Gourlay was a radical Scot who crusaded for social reform in Britain in the early nineteenth century. His activities in Upper Canada sent shock waves through the province. He arrived in 1817 to...

Gourlay was a radical Scot who crusaded for social reform in Britain in the early nineteenth century. His activities in Upper Canada sent shock waves through the province. He arrived in 1817...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Ridgeway Battlefield

PRO PATRIA In abiding memory of the officers and men of the Queen's Own Rifles, 13th Hamilton Battalion, Caledonia and York Rifle Companies of Haldimand who fought here in defence of their country...

PRO PATRIA In abiding memory of the officers and men of the Queen's Own Rifles, 13th Hamilton Battalion, Caledonia and York Rifle Companies of Haldimand who fought here in defence of their country...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Royal Canadian College of Organists

One of Canada's oldest national associations of musicians, the Royal Canadian College of Organists was established in 1909 following an organizational meeting held here in the former Conservatory...

One of Canada's oldest national associations of musicians, the Royal Canadian College of Organists was established in 1909 following an organizational meeting held here in the former Conservatory...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Royal Military College of Canada

Following the withdrawal of British forces from Canada in 1870-71, the federal government recognized the need for an officer training college in Canada. In 1874, during the administration of the...

Following the withdrawal of British forces from Canada in 1870-71, the federal government recognized the need for an officer training college in Canada. In 1874, during the administration of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Reverend Robert James McDowall 1768-1841

Born at Ballston Spa, near Saratoga, New York, McDowall graduated from the Union Theological Seminary, Schenectady, and was ordained by the Dutch Reformed Church at Albany in 1797. A year later he...

Born at Ballston Spa, near Saratoga, New York, McDowall graduated from the Union Theological Seminary, Schenectady, and was ordained by the Dutch Reformed Church at Albany in 1797. A year later he...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Rosseau- Nipissing Road

Designed to encourage settlement in what is now the Parry Sound District, the Rosseau-Nipissing Road was authorized by the government in 1864. A survey was completed the following year by J.S....

Designed to encourage settlement in what is now the Parry Sound District, the Rosseau-Nipissing Road was authorized by the government in 1864. A survey was completed the following year by...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown