A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.

The Founding of Tweed

During the 1830s a settlement, initially called Munroe's Mills and later Hungerford Mills, developed here on the Moira River. In 1850, when its population had reached approximately 100, it was...

During the 1830s a settlement, initially called Munroe's Mills and later Hungerford Mills, developed here on the Moira River. In 1850, when its population had reached approximately 100, it was...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Fulford Place

Built in 1899-1900, this eclectic mansion evokes the opulent lifestyle of Canada's industrial elite at the turn of the century. Designed by American architect A.W. Fuller, it was the spacious...

Built in 1899-1900, this eclectic mansion evokes the opulent lifestyle of Canada's industrial elite at the turn of the century. Designed by American architect A.W. Fuller, it was the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Actinolite

In 1853 Billa Flint (1805-94) a lumberman, member of the legislative assembly and later of the senate, built sawmills here on the Skootamatta River. A village, at first named Troy but soon renamed...

In 1853 Billa Flint (1805-94) a lumberman, member of the legislative assembly and later of the senate, built sawmills here on the Skootamatta River. A village, at first named Troy but soon renamed...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Forest

In 1858 Timothy Resseguie laid out the first village lots and the opening of a railway station here in 1859 on the recently completed Grand Trunk line from Guelph to Sarnia provided the nucleus...

In 1858 Timothy Resseguie laid out the first village lots and the opening of a railway station here in 1859 on the recently completed Grand Trunk line from Guelph to Sarnia provided the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Ridgetown

By 1826 the earliest settlers on the site of Ridgetown, notably William Marsh, James Watson, Edmund Mitton and Ebenezer Colby, had located in this vicinity. Marsh, the first to arrive, was granted...

By 1826 the earliest settlers on the site of Ridgetown, notably William Marsh, James Watson, Edmund Mitton and Ebenezer Colby, had located in this vicinity. Marsh, the first to arrive, was granted...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Forty-Ninth Parallel

At this point the 49th parallel of latitude north of the equator crosses the highway. This line forms the southern boundary of the western provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and most of...

At this point the 49th parallel of latitude north of the equator crosses the highway. This line forms the southern boundary of the western provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and most of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Richmond Hill

Settlers came to this district about 1794 after the construction of Yonge Street north from York (Toronto). The settlement prospered as a way station for travellers. Known as Mount Pleasant, the...

Settlers came to this district about 1794 after the construction of Yonge Street north from York (Toronto). The settlement prospered as a way station for travellers. Known as Mount Pleasant, the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Franklin Carmichael 1890-1945

An outstanding Canadian artist, Carmichael was born at Orillia, and studied at the Ontario College of Art and L'Academie Royale des Beaux-Arts at Antwerp. He had worked with Lismer and Varley in...

An outstanding Canadian artist, Carmichael was born at Orillia, and studied at the Ontario College of Art and L'Academie Royale des Beaux- Arts at Antwerp. He had worked with Lismer and Varley in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Killarney

Etienne Augustin de la Morandière, fur trader and founder of Killarney, settled here in 1820, when this locality, on the voyageurs' canoe route to the Northwest, was known as Shebahonaning...

Etienne Augustin de la Morandière, fur trader and founder of Killarney, settled here in 1820, when this locality, on the voyageurs' canoe route to the Northwest, was known as Shebahonaning...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Tara

Soon after the survey of Arran Township was completed in 1851. John Hamilton and Richard Berford, early settlers in the area, located here along the Sauble River. The opening of the Owen Sound...

Soon after the survey of Arran Township was completed in 1851. John Hamilton and Richard Berford, early settlers in the area, located here along the Sauble River. The opening of the Owen Sound...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Founding of Meaford

In 1837 inhabitants of St. Vincent Township petitioned the government requesting that land at the mouth of the Bighead River be reserved as a landing place. The land was set aside, a town plot of...

In 1837 inhabitants of St. Vincent Township petitioned the government requesting that land at the mouth of the Bighead River be reserved as a landing place. The land was set aside, a town plot of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Bothwell, 1855

In 1851 George Brown, founder of the Toronto Globe and one of Canada's Fathers of Confederation, purchased about 1620 ha in this vicinity. The Great Western Railway ran through his property in...

In 1851 George Brown, founder of the Toronto Globe and one of Canada's Fathers of Confederation, purchased about 1620 ha in this vicinity. The Great Western Railway ran through his property...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Fort Frontenac

Here stood Fort Cataraqui or Frontenac built by Count de Frontenac in July, 1673, and rebuilt by La Salle in 1675. For many years the key to the West, the base of La Salle's explorations and a...

Here stood Fort Cataraqui or Frontenac built by Count de Frontenac in July, 1673, and rebuilt by La Salle in 1675. For many years the key to the West, the base of La Salle's explorations and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Midland

In 1871 a group of the principal shareholders of the Midland Railway, headed by Adolph Hugel, selected this location as the northern terminus of their line which then ran from Port Hope to...

In 1871 a group of the principal shareholders of the Midland Railway, headed by Adolph Hugel, selected this location as the northern terminus of their line which then ran from Port Hope...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Brampton

Chinguacousy Township, part of the Mississauga Indian tract, was surveyed in 1819. John Elliott, John Scott and William Buffy were early settlers here of a crossroads hamlet first known as Buffy's...

Chinguacousy Township, part of the Mississauga Indian tract, was surveyed in 1819. John Elliott, John Scott and William Buffy were early settlers here of a crossroads hamlet first known as...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Fort Henry

The first Fort Henry was built during the War of 1812 to protect the British dockyards in Navy Bay. The present limestone citadel, constructed between 1832 and 1837, replaced the old fort as part...

The first Fort Henry was built during the War of 1812 to protect the British dockyards in Navy Bay. The present limestone citadel, constructed between 1832 and 1837, replaced the old fort as part...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The French Presence in Lafontaine

French explorers first arrived in the Lafontaine area around 1610. An intermittent French presence of fur traders, soldiers and missionaries continued until 1650 when the sojourns ended after the...

French explorers first arrived in the Lafontaine area around 1610. An intermittent French presence of fur traders, soldiers and missionaries continued until 1650 when the sojourns ended after the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

French Settlement on the South Shore

Windsor is the oldest known site of continuous settlement in Ontario. The government of New France, anxious to increase its presence on the Detroit River, offered land for agricultural settlement...

Windsor is the oldest known site of continuous settlement in Ontario. The government of New France, anxious to increase its presence on the Detroit River, offered land for agricultural settlement...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Springfield

About 1850, some ten years after this area was settled, a school and a Methodist meeting house were erected here on the town line between the Townships of South Dorchester and Malahide. Shortly...

About 1850, some ten years after this area was settled, a school and a Methodist meeting house were erected here on the town line between the Townships of South Dorchester and Malahide. Shortly...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The French Presence in Hearst

French Canadians began to settle in Hearst in 1912 during the construction of the National Transcontinental Railway. Most came to farm but soon turned to the more lucrative forest industry....

French Canadians began to settle in Hearst in 1912 during the construction of the National Transcontinental Railway. Most came to farm but soon turned to the more lucrative forest...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown