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

Jean McKishnie Blewett 1862-1934

Born at Scotia, Upper Canada, and educated at St. Thomas Collegiate Institute, Jean McKishnie was for many years a member of the staff of the Toronto Globe, continuing as an active journalist...

Born at Scotia, Upper Canada, and educated at St. Thomas Collegiate Institute, Jean McKishnie was for many years a member of the staff of the Toronto Globe, continuing as an active...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Graves Simcoe 1752-1806

Simcoe was born in Northamptonshire and educated at Oxford. He joined the British army in 1771, and from 1777-81 commanded the Queen's Rangers, a Loyalist corps in America. After the Loyalist...

Simcoe was born in Northamptonshire and educated at Oxford. He joined the British army in 1771, and from 1777-81 commanded the Queen's Rangers, a Loyalist corps in America. After the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Janet Carnochan 1839-1926

For more than thirty years Janet Carnochan, a native of Stamford, Ontario, taught elementary and secondary school at Niagara-on-the Lake, but she made her greatest contribution to the community as...

For more than thirty years Janet Carnochan, a native of Stamford, Ontario, taught elementary and secondary school at Niagara-on-the Lake, but she made her greatest contribution to the community...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Philips

Born about 1800, Philips settled here in 1825 and soon opened a store and tavern. He became active in politics and, as a Reformer, rose to local prominence during the elections in Leeds between...

Born about 1800, Philips settled here in 1825 and soon opened a store and tavern. He became active in politics and, as a Reformer, rose to local prominence during the elections in Leeds...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Llewellyn Frise

One of Canada's leading cartoonists, Jimmy Frise was born near here about 1891 and educated at Scugog, Saintfield and Port Perry. Wounded at Vimy Ridge in the First World War, he went to Toronto...

One of Canada's leading cartoonists, Jimmy Frise was born near here about 1891 and educated at Scugog, Saintfield and Port Perry. Wounded at Vimy Ridge in the First World War, he went to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Jesuit Mission to the Hurons

In 1728, a mission to the Huron Indians was established near Fort Pontchartrain (Detroit) by Father Armand de la Richardie, S.J. The Mission was moved to Bois Blanc Island and the adjacent...

In 1728, a mission to the Huron Indians was established near Fort Pontchartrain (Detroit) by Father Armand de la Richardie, S.J. The Mission was moved to Bois Blanc Island and the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Joseph Connolly 1840-1904

This prominent Ontario architect was born in Ireland and received his professional training there under J. J. McCarthy, a leading nineteenth century Catholic church architect. By the early 1860s...

This prominent Ontario architect was born in Ireland and received his professional training there under J. J. McCarthy, a leading nineteenth century Catholic church architect. By the early 1860s...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Kinder Labatt 1803-1866

Born in Ireland, John Kinder Labatt came to Canada in 1834 and began farming near London. In 1847 he acquired an interest in the London brewery of Samuel Eccles, which had been established by John...

Born in Ireland, John Kinder Labatt came to Canada in 1834 and began farming near London. In 1847 he acquired an interest in the London brewery of Samuel Eccles, which had been established by...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John R. Barber and the Credit River Dynamo

In 1854, brothers William, James, Joseph and Robert Barber, prominent manufacturers in the Credit Valley, established a paper mill here. Within a few years it had become an important producer of...

In 1854, brothers William, James, Joseph and Robert Barber, prominent manufacturers in the Credit Valley, established a paper mill here. Within a few years it had become an important producer of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Langton 1808-1894

Born in Lancashire, England, Langton graduated from Cambridge University in 1829 and emigrated to Upper Canada in 1833. He purchased some 200 ha of land in Fenelon and Verulam Townships, where he...

Born in Lancashire, England, Langton graduated from Cambridge University in 1829 and emigrated to Upper Canada in 1833. He purchased some 200 ha of land in Fenelon and Verulam Townships, where...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

J.D. Kelly 1862-1958

John David Kelly, a gifted painter and illustrator, is best known for his meticulously researched paintings depicting important events in Canada's history. Many of Kelly's paintings and sketches...

John David Kelly, a gifted painter and illustrator, is best known for his meticulously researched paintings depicting important events in Canada's history. Many of Kelly's paintings and sketches...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Willson 1776-1860

The dominant politician at the Head-of-the-Lake during the early 19th century, Willson was born in New Jersey. He came to Upper Canada and settled here about 1797. After his election to the...

The dominant politician at the Head-of-the-Lake during the early 19th century, Willson was born in New Jersey. He came to Upper Canada and settled here about 1797. After his election to...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John McIntosh 1777-1846

McIntosh's parents emigrated from Inverness, Scotland to the Mohawk Valley, N.Y., and John moved to Upper Canada in 1796. In 1811 he acquired a farm near this site, and while clearing the land of...

McIntosh's parents emigrated from Inverness, Scotland to the Mohawk Valley, N.Y., and John moved to Upper Canada in 1796. In 1811 he acquired a farm near this site, and while clearing the land of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Weir Foote, V.C. 1904-1988

The only chaplain in World War II to receive the Victoria Cross, Foote was born and raised in Madoc. He entered the Presbyterian ministry in 1934 and enlisted in the Canadian Chaplain Service five...

The only chaplain in World War II to receive the Victoria Cross, Foote was born and raised in Madoc. He entered the Presbyterian ministry in 1934 and enlisted in the Canadian Chaplain Service five...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Joseph Medlicott Scriven 1819-1886

Born and educated in Ireland, Scriven was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin. He emigrated to Canada in 1847 and during the 1850's became tutor to the family of Capt. Robert L. Pengelley, R.N.,...

Born and educated in Ireland, Scriven was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin. He emigrated to Canada in 1847 and during the 1850's became tutor to the family of Capt. Robert L. Pengelley, R.N.,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

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