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

Eating and Drinking in Ann Arbor

Eating and Drinking in Ann Arbor   Sugar Bowl Restaurant, 109 South Main Street, 1927   In the 1930s Greek immigrants William Skinner, behind bar, and his wife Andriana, at the table far left,...

Eating and Drinking in Ann Arbor   Sugar Bowl Restaurant, 109 South Main Street, 1927   In the 1930s Greek immigrants William Skinner, behind bar, and his wife Andriana, at the table far...

    Michigan Becomes a State

    On this site in 1836, delegates from all parts of Michigan met in Washtenaw County’s first courthouse to consider a proposal by Congress for settling the boundary dispute between Michigan and...

    On this site in 1836, delegates from all parts of Michigan met in Washtenaw County’s first courthouse to consider a proposal by Congress for settling the boundary dispute between Michigan...

    • michigan
    • michigan his...

    Dry Goods

    Bach & Abel, Northwest Corner, Main and Washington, 1886   Dry Goods   Dry good were sold on this corner for over 120 years.  In 1867 Philip Bach moved his store to this new business block selling...

    Bach & Abel, Northwest Corner, Main and Washington, 1886   Dry Goods   Dry good were sold on this corner for over 120 years.  In 1867 Philip Bach moved his store to this new business block selling...

      Central Title Service Building

      On August 6, 1845, the first graduation ceremony for the University of Michigan was held in this building, which was then the First Presbyterian Church. Founded in 1817 in Detroit, the first...

      On August 6, 1845, the first graduation ceremony for the University of Michigan was held in this building, which was then the First Presbyterian Church. Founded in 1817 in Detroit, the...

      • michigan
      • michigan his...

      Hardware

      Eberbach Hardware, Northeast Corner, Main and Washington, Ca. 1893   In 1872 William Herz built 112 West Washington Street on the alley to your left for his popular painting and decorating...

      Eberbach Hardware, Northeast Corner, Main and Washington, Ca. 1893   In 1872 William Herz built 112 West Washington Street on the alley to your left for his popular painting and...

        Industry on Detroit Street

        Miller’s Planing Mill, 529 Detroit Street, 1874 (Later the Treasure Mart)   Used cars were sold at 514 Detroit Streetin the last part of Andrew Schmidt’s carriage factory buildings, before it was...

        Miller’s Planing Mill, 529 Detroit Street, 1874 (Later the Treasure Mart)   Used cars were sold at 514 Detroit Streetin the last part of Andrew Schmidt’s carriage factory buildings, before it was...

        • detroit
        • michigan
        • universal bath
        • railroad
        • treasure mart

        Between Downtown and the Railroad

        Triangular block bounded by Detroit, Fifth, and Kingsley, 1897   In 1845 the first St. Thomas Catholic Church, built on Kingsley Street east of Division, was Ann Arbor’s first brick church and its...

        Triangular block bounded by Detroit, Fifth, and Kingsley, 1897   In 1845 the first St. Thomas Catholic Church, built on Kingsley Street east of Division, was Ann Arbor’s first brick church and its...

        • detroit
        • michigan
        • railroad
        • barrel factory
        • apple-picking

        Antislavery Society

        ANTISLAVERY SOCIETY The founding meeting of the Michigan Antislavery Society was held in the First Presbyterian Church, located on this site, on November 10, 1836.  Delegates from six counties...

        ANTISLAVERY SOCIETY The founding meeting of the Michigan Antislavery Society was held in the First Presbyterian Church, located on this site, on November 10, 1836.  Delegates from six...