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

James Morris 1798-1865

A prominent Canadian politician, Morris was born in Paisley, Scotland. His family immigrated to Canada in 1801 and later settled in Elizabethtown (Brockville). He joined his brothers, Alexander...

A prominent Canadian politician, Morris was born in Paisley, Scotland. His family immigrated to Canada in 1801 and later settled in Elizabethtown (Brockville). He joined his brothers,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Joseph-Geneviève, Comte de Puisaye

Soldier, politician, diplomatist and colonizer, de Puisaye was born at Mortagne-en-Perche, France, about 1755, and enlisted in the French Army at 18. Elected to the States General in 1789, he...

Soldier, politician, diplomatist and colonizer, de Puisaye was born at Mortagne-en-Perche, France, about 1755, and enlisted in the French Army at 18. Elected to the States General in 1789,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Joseph Russell Little 1812-1880

Joseph Little came to Warwick Township from Ireland in 1833 to manage the estate of a large landowner. The poverty of many pioneers so shocked him that, indifferent to his own comfort, he...

Joseph Little came to Warwick Township from Ireland in 1833 to manage the estate of a large landowner. The poverty of many pioneers so shocked him that, indifferent to his own comfort,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James G. Gardiner 1883-1962

James Gardiner was born on a farm in nearby Hibbert Township. He moved to western Canada in 1901 where he farmed and became a school teacher and principal. A strong debater, Gardiner was elected...

James Gardiner was born on a farm in nearby Hibbert Township. He moved to western Canada in 1901 where he farmed and became a school teacher and principal. A strong debater, Gardiner was elected...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Icelandic Settlement Disaster

In the 1870's, economic distress prompted mass emigration from Iceland. On September 25th, 1874, 352 Icelanders, exhausted and weakened by illness arrived at the emigration sheds in Toronto. When...

In the 1870's, economic distress prompted mass emigration from Iceland. On September 25th, 1874, 352 Icelanders, exhausted and weakened by illness arrived at the emigration sheds in Toronto....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Invention of the Telephone

Here, at the home of his father, on 26th July, 1874, Alexander Graham Bell disclosed for the first time his conception of the principle of the telephone. From Brantford calls were made to Mount...

Here, at the home of his father, on 26th July, 1874, Alexander Graham Bell disclosed for the first time his conception of the principle of the telephone. From Brantford calls were made to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Inverarden

This house, built in 1816, is a fine example of Regency architecture and its interior is a pleasing expression of Georgian symmetry with excellent detailing. In a wooded setting and commanding an...

This house, built in 1816, is a fine example of Regency architecture and its interior is a pleasing expression of Georgian symmetry with excellent detailing. In a wooded setting and commanding an...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The International Boundary

The nearby concrete marker, erected in 1911, is one of a series used by surveyors to determine the exact boundary between Canada and the United States. The St. Clair River was originally...

The nearby concrete marker, erected in 1911, is one of a series used by surveyors to determine the exact boundary between Canada and the United States. The St. Clair River was...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Isabella Valancy Crawford 1850-1887

Irish-born, Isabella Crawford came to Canada as a young girl and eventually settled in Peterborough. Following her father's death in 1875 she supported her family through writing, and published...

Irish-born, Isabella Crawford came to Canada as a young girl and eventually settled in Peterborough. Following her father's death in 1875 she supported her family through writing, and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Isabella Valancy Crawford

Born in Dublin, Ireland, about 1846, this notable Canadian poet immigrated with her family to Canada, 1857-58, settling at Paisley. Her father practised medicine here for some years and after his...

Born in Dublin, Ireland, about 1846, this notable Canadian poet immigrated with her family to Canada, 1857-58, settling at Paisley. Her father practised medicine here for some years and after his...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

"Howie" Morenz 1902-1937

An outstanding hockey player, Howard William Morenz was born in Mitchell. He began his career with the Mitchell Juveniles, 1917-18, and after his family moved to Stratford, he played with several...

An outstanding hockey player, Howard William Morenz was born in Mitchell. He began his career with the Mitchell Juveniles, 1917-18, and after his family moved to Stratford, he played with several...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Honourable Arthur Sturgis Hardy 1837-1901

Ontario's fourth prime minister was born in Mount Pleasant, called to the Bar in 1865, and practised law in Brantford for many years. In 1873 he was elected to the Ontario legislature and sat as...

Ontario's fourth prime minister was born in Mount Pleasant, called to the Bar in 1865, and practised law in Brantford for many years. In 1873 he was elected to the Ontario legislature and sat...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Hungerford Smallpox Epidemic of 1884

The viral disease of smallpox - widespread in 19th century Ontario - flared up in a severe epidemic in Hungerford Township in 1884. The outbreak claimed at least 45 lives in 202 reported cases and...

The viral disease of smallpox - widespread in 19th century Ontario - flared up in a severe epidemic in Hungerford Township in 1884. The outbreak claimed at least 45 lives in 202 reported cases and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Hawkesbury Mills

In 1805 Thomas Mears and David Patee leased islands in the Ottawa where they built a sawmill and a grist-mill. They constructed a dam across the channel to Hawkesbury West and there purchased 400...

In 1805 Thomas Mears and David Patee leased islands in the Ottawa where they built a sawmill and a grist-mill. They constructed a dam across the channel to Hawkesbury West and there purchased 400...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Henry Wolsey Bayfield 1795-1885

Born in England, Bayfield joined the Royal Navy at the age of eleven and served in many parts of the world. While stationed at Kingston, Upper Canada in 1817, he was put in charge of the Great...

Born in England, Bayfield joined the Royal Navy at the age of eleven and served in many parts of the world. While stationed at Kingston, Upper Canada in 1817, he was put in charge of the Great...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Heathfield

The house which stood near this site was constructed prior to 1841, and purchased in 1865 by Prof. James Williamson of Queen's University. His wife, Margaret, was a sister of Sir John A....

The house which stood near this site was constructed prior to 1841, and purchased in 1865 by Prof. James Williamson of Queen's University. His wife, Margaret, was a sister of Sir John...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Huron College 1863

The college was founded by the Right Reverend Benjamin Cronyn who, following his election in 1857 as first Anglican Bishop of Huron, saw the need for a theological school and institution for...

The college was founded by the Right Reverend Benjamin Cronyn who, following his election in 1857 as first Anglican Bishop of Huron, saw the need for a theological school and institution...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Honourable William Aberhart 1878-1943

Founder of the Social Credit Party and premier of Alberta, 1935-43, Aberhart attended Seaforth Collegiate Institute, 1893-98, and later graduated from Queen's University. In 1910 he moved to...

Founder of the Social Credit Party and premier of Alberta, 1935-43, Aberhart attended Seaforth Collegiate Institute, 1893-98, and later graduated from Queen's University. In 1910 he moved...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Harwood

This area, purchased in 1828 by Robert Harwood, a Montreal merchant, did not begin to develop rapidly until the arrival of the Cobourg and Peterborough Railway in 1854. Harwood was surveyed in...

This area, purchased in 1828 by Robert Harwood, a Montreal merchant, did not begin to develop rapidly until the arrival of the Cobourg and Peterborough Railway in 1854. Harwood was surveyed in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Huron County Gaol

Erected between 1839 and 1841, this remarkably preserved building follows Jeremy Bentham's Panopticon design for prison construction, often found in mid-19th-century Britain and America. It...

Erected between 1839 and 1841, this remarkably preserved building follows Jeremy Bentham's Panopticon design for prison construction, often found in mid-19th-century Britain and America....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown