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

A Continuing Legacy

A Continuing Legacy   The Carrizo Plain was a gathering place for the Chumash and other native peoples. Painted Rock was a sacred site to these Native Americans who lived close to nature.   The...

A Continuing Legacy   The Carrizo Plain was a gathering place for the Chumash and other native peoples. Painted Rock was a sacred site to these Native Americans who lived close to nature.  ...

    Santa Cruz Wharf 100th Anniversary

    Santa Cruz Wharf 100th Anniversary December 5, 2014   City of Santa Cruz City Council Lynn Robinson, Mayor, Done Lane, Vice Mayor, Hilary Bryant, Pamela Comstock, Cynthia Mathews, Micah Posner,...

    Santa Cruz Wharf 100th Anniversary December 5, 2014   City of Santa Cruz City Council Lynn Robinson, Mayor, Done Lane, Vice Mayor, Hilary Bryant, Pamela Comstock, Cynthia Mathews, Micah Posner,...

      Reverend Herschel Harkins Memorial

      Reverend Herschel Harkins Memorial Pacifica Pier Dedicated to a fisher of menSubmitted by: Eric Goodill

      Reverend Herschel Harkins Memorial Pacifica Pier Dedicated to a fisher of menSubmitted by: Eric Goodill

        Fremont Peak

        Fremont Peak   Fremont Peak was called Gavilan Peak in early Spanish times. Gavilan in English means "hawk." In 1846 Capt. John Charles Fremont, brevet captain of topographical engineers of the...

        Fremont Peak   Fremont Peak was called Gavilan Peak in early Spanish times. Gavilan in English means "hawk." In 1846 Capt. John Charles Fremont, brevet captain of topographical engineers of...

          John Charles Fremont

          John Charles Fremont 1813 -  1890   John Charles Fremont was a naturalist, explorer, scientist and captain with the U.S. Topographical Engineers on his third expedition to the west when he camped...

          John Charles Fremont 1813 -  1890   John Charles Fremont was a naturalist, explorer, scientist and captain with the U.S. Topographical Engineers on his third expedition to the west when he camped...

            Dedicated in memory of Tim Crawford and Martin Alvarado

            Dedicated in memory of Tim Crawford and Martin Alvarado who lost their lives on February 7, 2007, while performing underwater inspections at the Dos Amigos pumping plant. They sacrificed their...

            Dedicated in memory of Tim Crawford and Martin Alvarado who lost their lives on February 7, 2007, while performing underwater inspections at the Dos Amigos pumping plant. They sacrificed their...

              San Luis Unit

              San Luis Unit   Joint facilities of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project   Dedicated by Secretary of Interior Stewart L. Udall April 20, 1968   Constructed by United States...

              San Luis Unit   Joint facilities of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project   Dedicated by Secretary of Interior Stewart L. Udall April 20, 1968   Constructed by United States...

                Romero Overlook

                Romero Overlook Visitors facilities for the San Luis Dam and San Luis ReservoirSubmitted by: Eric Goodill

                Romero Overlook Visitors facilities for the San Luis Dam and San Luis ReservoirSubmitted by: Eric Goodill

                  In Memory of the Yokut Indians

                  In memory of the Yokut Indians who were here first and named the valley Cholame, The Beautiful One. To Norman F. "Buck" Kester who epitomized the pioneering spirit of the early settlers and to all...

                  In memory of the Yokut Indians who were here first and named the valley Cholame, The Beautiful One. To Norman F. "Buck" Kester who epitomized the pioneering spirit of the early settlers and to...

                    Restoration of the Merchant Marine Memorial

                    Restoration of this Memorial by Members of the Golden Gate Chapter San Francisco, CA of the American Merchant Marine Veterans, and Kings Point U.S. "Merchant Marine Academy" Alumni. Dedicated to...

                    Restoration of this Memorial by Members of the Golden Gate Chapter San Francisco, CA of the American Merchant Marine Veterans, and Kings Point U.S. "Merchant Marine Academy" Alumni. Dedicated to...

                      The Reverend Laurentine Hamilton

                      The Reverend Laurentine Hamilton 1826 - 1882   The Naming of Mount Hamilton In the late summer of 1861, William H. Brewer, director of field work for the California State Geological Survey,...

                      The Reverend Laurentine Hamilton 1826 - 1882   The Naming of Mount Hamilton In the late summer of 1861, William H. Brewer, director of field work for the California State Geological...

                        James Lick

                        James Lick August 25, 1796 - October 1, 1876 Pennsylvania Dutch Farm Boy - Master Craftsman and Pianomaker - South American Business Entrepreneur - California Pioneer - Real Estate Investor -...

                        James Lick August 25, 1796 - October 1, 1876 Pennsylvania Dutch Farm Boy - Master Craftsman and Pianomaker - South American Business Entrepreneur - California Pioneer - Real Estate Investor...

                          James Edward Keeler

                          In memory of James Edward Keeler ScD. director of Lick Observatory 1989 - 1900.   "Surveyed God's beauteous firmament unrolled like to a book new writ in golden words. And turned the azure scroll...

                          In memory of James Edward Keeler ScD. director of Lick Observatory 1989 - 1900.   "Surveyed God's beauteous firmament unrolled like to a book new writ in golden words. And turned the azure...

                            Shay Locomotive

                            National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark Felton, California   Heisler locomotive, built by Stearns Manufacturing Company, 1899. Shay locomotive, built by Lima Locomotive Works, 1912....

                            National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark Felton, California   Heisler locomotive, built by Stearns Manufacturing Company, 1899. Shay locomotive, built by Lima Locomotive Works,...

                              First Saw Mill

                              First Saw Mill   About three hundred feet south of this monument on the banks of Alambique Creek, stood San Mateo County's first saw mill built by Charles Brown in 1847. About the same time Dennis...

                              First Saw Mill   About three hundred feet south of this monument on the banks of Alambique Creek, stood San Mateo County's first saw mill built by Charles Brown in 1847. About the same time...

                                San Luis Camp Adobe

                                San Luis Camp Adobe   Oldest building in Merced County, built in 1848 by Francisco Perez Pacheco and his son on Rancho San Luis Gonzaga. Later a stopping place for vaqueros while driving cattle to...

                                San Luis Camp Adobe   Oldest building in Merced County, built in 1848 by Francisco Perez Pacheco and his son on Rancho San Luis Gonzaga. Later a stopping place for vaqueros while driving cattle to...

                                  Ramirez Adobe

                                  In 1849, Antonio Ramirez built a small adobe on the El Camino Real, near the site of the ancient Indian village, Holamna. As a main artery to California's gold fields, the El Camino Real brought...

                                  In 1849, Antonio Ramirez built a small adobe on the El Camino Real, near the site of the ancient Indian village, Holamna. As a main artery to California's gold fields, the El Camino Real brought...

                                    First Mission Bell Made in California

                                    The bronze bell in the center niche of the campanario was cast especially for this mission and is the first missiion bell made in California. It is 24 inches in diameter and weighs 500 pounds.  ...

                                    The bronze bell in the center niche of the campanario was cast especially for this mission and is the first missiion bell made in California. It is 24 inches in diameter and weighs 500 pounds.  ...

                                      Apollo 11 Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment (LURE)

                                      IEEE Milestone   Apollo 11 Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment (LURE), 1969   On 1 August 1969, Lick Observatory made the first Earth-to-Moon distance measurement with centimeter accuracy. The...

                                      IEEE Milestone   Apollo 11 Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment (LURE), 1969   On 1 August 1969, Lick Observatory made the first Earth-to-Moon distance measurement with centimeter accuracy....

                                        Nova Albion

                                        On June 17, 1579, Captain Francis Drake sailed his ship, Golden Hinde, into the Gulf of the Farallones and the bay that now bears his name. He sighted these white cliffs and named the land Nova...

                                        On June 17, 1579, Captain Francis Drake sailed his ship, Golden Hinde, into the Gulf of the Farallones and the bay that now bears his name. He sighted these white cliffs and named the land...