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

The Honourable Edward Blake 1833-1912

Born near Strathroy of Irish parents, Blake, a distinguished lawyer and brilliant orator, was elected in 1867 both to the Canadian parliament for West Durham and to the Ontario legislature for...

Born near Strathroy of Irish parents, Blake, a distinguished lawyer and brilliant orator, was elected in 1867 both to the Canadian parliament for West Durham and to the Ontario legislature...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Holstein Friesian Cattle in Ontario

In 1881 Michael Cook, who operated a prosperous 80 ha farm here, imported the first Holstein Friesian cattle into Ontario. This was part of a movement among progressive farmers to find a breed of...

In 1881 Michael Cook, who operated a prosperous 80 ha farm here, imported the first Holstein Friesian cattle into Ontario. This was part of a movement among progressive farmers to find a breed...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Hillcroft 1853

Built in 1853 by a mayor of Kingston, Francis Hill, this house, during the 1860's and 1870's, was the residence of Alexander Campbell (1822-1892). A member of the Legislative Council of the...

Built in 1853 by a mayor of Kingston, Francis Hill, this house, during the 1860's and 1870's, was the residence of Alexander Campbell (1822-1892). A member of the Legislative Council of the...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Hamilton Waterworks

This dignified building, reminiscent of the style of a Roman aqueduct, houses one of Canada's greatest surviving engineering achievements of the mid-19th century, the Hamilton Waterworks. Built...

This dignified building, reminiscent of the style of a Roman aqueduct, houses one of Canada's greatest surviving engineering achievements of the mid-19th century, the Hamilton Waterworks....

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Harold Adams Innis 1894-1952

One of Canada's outstanding economic historians, Innis was born on this farm. Graduated from McMaster University, he obtained a Ph. D. from the University of Chicago, and in 1920 joined the...

One of Canada's outstanding economic historians, Innis was born on this farm. Graduated from McMaster University, he obtained a Ph. D. from the University of Chicago, and in 1920 joined...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Honourable Harry C. Nixon 1891-1961

Ontario's thirteenth prime minister was born on this farm and in 1913 graduated from Ontario Agricultural College. A supporter of the United Farmers of Ontario, he was elected to the provincial...

Ontario's thirteenth prime minister was born on this farm and in 1913 graduated from Ontario Agricultural College. A supporter of the United Farmers of Ontario, he was elected to the provincial...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Henry Langley 1836-1907

One of the most prolific architects in 19th-century Ontario, Langley was born in Toronto. In 1862, following his apprenticeship as an architect, he formed a partnership with Thomas Gundry. Langley...

One of the most prolific architects in 19th- century Ontario, Langley was born in Toronto. In 1862, following his apprenticeship as an architect, he formed a partnership with Thomas Gundry....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Hamilton Central Public School

This school, built to accommodate 1,000 students, was the largest graded school in Upper Canada, and became the only public school in Hamilton, at the time of its opening in 1853. Among the...

This school, built to accommodate 1,000 students, was the largest graded school in Upper Canada, and became the only public school in Hamilton, at the time of its opening in 1853. Among the...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Honourable Gordon D. Conant 1885-1953

Ontario's twelfth prime minister was born in Oshawa and educated at the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall. A practising lawyer, he was a leader in civic affairs and in 1916-17 served as mayor...

Ontario's twelfth prime minister was born in Oshawa and educated at the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall. A practising lawyer, he was a leader in civic affairs and in 1916-17 served as mayor...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Huron Road

In 1827 Dr. William "Tiger" Dunlop of the Canada Company opened the line of the Huron Road some 153 km from Goderich to Guelph whose townsites were established that year. Improved in 1828 to...

In 1827 Dr. William "Tiger" Dunlop of the Canada Company opened the line of the Huron Road some 153 km from Goderich to Guelph whose townsites were established that year. Improved in 1828 to...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Harry G.B. Miner, V.C. 1891-1918

Born in Raleigh Township, Miner enlisted in the 142nd Battalion, C.E.F. in December, 1915, and the following year transferred to the 58th Battalion, then serving in France. During a Canadian...

Born in Raleigh Township, Miner enlisted in the 142nd Battalion, C.E.F. in December, 1915, and the following year transferred to the 58th Battalion, then serving in France. During a Canadian...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Hastings Road

This road was begun in 1854 as part of a network of "Colonization Roads" planned by the government to open the southern fringe of the Precambrian Shield to settlement. Under the supervision of...

This road was begun in 1854 as part of a network of "Colonization Roads" planned by the government to open the southern fringe of the Precambrian Shield to settlement. Under the supervision...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Horatio Emmons Hale 1817-1896

One of North America's pioneer ethnologists and linguists, Hale practised law in Clinton 1856-1896. Born in New Hampshire, he graduated from Harvard in 1837, and accompanied the Wilkes Expedition...

One of North America's pioneer ethnologists and linguists, Hale practised law in Clinton 1856-1896. Born in New Hampshire, he graduated from Harvard in 1837, and accompanied the Wilkes Expedition...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Honourable David Mills 1831-1903

A noted cabinet minister and jurist, David Mills was born in a house on the adjacent property, attended a local school, and studied law at the University of Michigan. Elected in 1867 to the...

A noted cabinet minister and jurist, David Mills was born in a house on the adjacent property, attended a local school, and studied law at the University of Michigan. Elected in 1867 to...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Hewitt Bernard 1825-1893

Born in Jamaica, Bernard immigrated to Canada and settled in Barrie, where in 1856 he established a law practice. He was chief clerk, 1858-66, in the office of the attorney-general for Canada...

Born in Jamaica, Bernard immigrated to Canada and settled in Barrie, where in 1856 he established a law practice. He was chief clerk, 1858-66, in the office of the attorney-general for Canada...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Home Children

Between 1869 and 1939, about 100,000 child immigrants, casualties of unemployment and poverty in Britain, were uprooted from their homes and families. With hopes of giving them new lives in...

Between 1869 and 1939, about 100,000 child immigrants, casualties of unemployment and poverty in Britain, were uprooted from their homes and families. With hopes of giving them new lives...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Hamilton Customs House

The former Customs House (1858-1860) is a fine example of the Italianate style of architecture which was popular in Canada from the 1840s through the 1870s. Inspired by Renaissance palazzi of Rome...

The former Customs House (1858-1860) is a fine example of the Italianate style of architecture which was popular in Canada from the 1840s through the 1870s. Inspired by Renaissance palazzi of...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Honourable Alexander Grant 1734-1813

Alexander Grant, son of the seventh Laird of Glenmoriston, was born in Inverness- Shire, Scotland. During the Seven Years' War he served with the Montgomery's Highlanders, eventually commanding a...

Alexander Grant, son of the seventh Laird of Glenmoriston, was born in Inverness- Shire, Scotland. During the Seven Years' War he served with the Montgomery's Highlanders, eventually commanding a...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Her Majesty's Chapel of the Mohawks

Originally called St. Paul's, this chapel was the first Protestant church in Upper Canada and is now the oldest surviving church in Ontario. Built by the Crown in 1785, it was given to those...

Originally called St. Paul's, this chapel was the first Protestant church in Upper Canada and is now the oldest surviving church in Ontario. Built by the Crown in 1785, it was given to those...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Hawley House

This house, the oldest in the Bay of Quinte district, was built about 1785 by Captain Jeptha Hawley (1740-1813), a Loyalist from Arlington, Vermont. The Hawleys, an old Connecticut family, had...

This house, the oldest in the Bay of Quinte district, was built about 1785 by Captain Jeptha Hawley (1740-1813), a Loyalist from Arlington, Vermont. The Hawleys, an old Connecticut family, had...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown