Documenting the historical links between people and places as recorded by commemorative plaques
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Plaque Of The Day
Oliver Chapman says, "This was my first photo to be shown on Open Plaques. Am chuffed to help a great resource. It's just around the corner from my work in Southwark and is an incredibly tranquil spot devised by the great Victorian reformer Octavia Hill as an open space for the urban working class. It is as valued now by the local community as I'm sure it was then."
Place Of The Day
Norwich, United Kingdom
Norwich has a long history. It has been a city since 1094. From the Middle Ages until the Industrial Revolution, Norwich was the largest city in England after London and one of the most important. This is refelected in its plaques.
Most-viewed plaques
In the last 11 years, between 20 May 2009 to 6 Jan 2021, Open Plaques had 4,530,517 page views from 1,234,480 users. Some were triggered by internet memes such as Steve Ullathorne's 2012 image of a George Orwell plaque with a CCTV camera next to it. Others, such as those for Alan Turing, were probably triggered by an anniversary and campaign for recognition.
- George Orwell 1903-1950 novelist & political essayist lived here (19526 page views)
- Jacob von Hogflume 1864-1909 Inventor of time travel. lived here in 2189 (15077 page views)
- George Orwell 1903-1950 novelist and political essayist lived here (6390 page views)
- Jimi Hendrix 1942-1970 guitarist and songwriter lived here 1968-1969 (5714 page views)
- Alan Turing 1912-1954 founder of computer science and cryptographer, whose work was key to breaking the wartime Enigma codes, lived and died here. (4085 page views)
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 1859-1930 creator of Sherlock Holmes lived here 1891-1894 (3846 page views)
- Alan Turing 1912-1954 code breaker lived here from 1945-1947 (3679 page views)
- This building housed the offices of Charles Dickens' magazine 'All The Year Round' and his private apartments 1859-1870 (3339 page views)
- Dame Agatha Christie 1890-1976 detective novelist and playwright lived here 1934-1941 (3027 page views)
- The Peterloo Massacre. On 16th August 1819, a peaceful rally of 60,000 pro-democracy reformers, men, women and children was attacked by armed cavalry resulting in 15 deaths and over 600 injuries. (3006 page views)
recently photographed plaques
Bienes de Interés Cultural (BIC) Castro Urdiales Casa para Isidra del Cerro Siglo XIX, eclecticismo (influencias francesas y modernistas) Declarado Bien de Interés Cultural en 1990 Este bello edificio de viviendas con bajos comerciales fue proyectado por el arquitecto Severino de Achúcarro en 1899, que encargó la dirección de obra a su discípulo, el arquitecto castreño Leonardo Rucabado, con quien también llevó a cabo la casa de Los Chelines. Este inmueble muestra claramente las influencias francesas y modernistas de Achúcarro. Tiene fachada a tres calles, entreplanta, tres pisos y ático abuhardillado, aunque llama la atención especialmente la fachada que da al mar por su conjunto de balcones y miradores y su rotonda de cantería. La decoración es muy llamativa y destaca la utilización del hierro forjado en barandillas y miradores. En el lado izquierdo, sobresalen los miradores de madera, y en el derecho el chaflán coronado por una cúpula de pizarra, que está decorada con escamas y ojos de buey. Esta esquinera de piedra cuenta con tres vanos en cada planta que se convierten en balconcitos a partir del segundo piso. Al parecer, la Casa para Isidra del Cerro fue el primer edificio del norte de España en el que se instaló ascensor, aunque nunca se llegó a utilizar.
English translation: Assets of Cultural Interest (BIC) Castro Urdiales House for Isidra del Cerro 19th century, eclecticism (French and modernist influences) Declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1990 This beautiful residential building with commercial low floors was designed by the architect Severino de Achúcarro in 1899, who commissioned the construction management to his disciple, the castro architect Leonardo Rucabado, with whom he also built the house of Los Chillines. This property clearly shows the French and modernist influences of Achúcarro. It has a facade of three streets, a mezzanine, three floors and attic with sloping ceilings, although the façade that faces the sea is especially striking due to its set of balconies and viewpoints and its stonework roundabout. The decoration is very striking and highlights the use of wrought iron in railings and viewpoints. On the left side, the wooden viewpoints stand out, and on the right the chamfer crowned by a slate dome, which is decorated with scales and portholes. This stone corner has three spans on each floor that turn into balconies from the second floor. Apparently, the Casa para Isidra del Cerro was the first building in northern Spain where an elevator was installed, although it was never used. [AWS Translate]
Avenida de la Constitución 6, Castro Urdiales, Spain
Guillaume Verrier, 1680-1758 Né en France, Verrier fut procureur général de la Nouvelle-France près le Conseil supérieur de Québec pendant trente années, de 1728 à son décès. À compter de 1735, il donna des cours de droit et il forma des practiciens. Bibliophile, il réunit une collection de quelque quatre mille ouvrages. Il mourut à Québec. Born in France, Verrier was Attorney General of New France and member of the Council of Quebec for thirty years from 1728 until his death. From 1735 onwards, many who were to become successful men of law benefitted from the courses of instruction he offered. A noted bibliophile, he assembled an excellent library of some 4000 volumes. He died in Quebec.Guillaume Verrier
, Quebec, QC, Canada
Nevada Historical Marker #177
Desert Well Station (Overland Mail And Stage Station). Located approximately one mile south are the remains of a typical stage station of the period 1843 to 1869, an era of transition between the arrival of the first emigrant wagon trains and the completion of the transcontinental railroad.Desert Well Station, which was later known as Nelsons, achieved a measure of fame when Mark Twain wrote of his experience there in Roughing It. The original site featured two wells, an inn, and corrals. One of the wells was used exclusively by camels brought to the Nevada desert to haul salt to the mines on the Comstock.
Cheyenne Drive, Stagecoach, NV, United States
St. Lawrence Hall 1850 St. Lawrence Hall, one of the oldest public buildings in Toronto, was constructed following the Great Fire of 1849 that destroyed a large part of the city's core. Architect William Thomas designed the building in the Renaissance Revival style with Corinthian columns and a domed cupola. The entrance originally led to a shopping arcade connected to the St. Lawrence Market. The building had shops on the main floor and, on the upper floors, offices and a grand meeting hall used for social events and by prominent speakers, performers, and musicians. Abolitionist Frederick Douglass, Swedish soprano Jenny Lind, and showman P. T. Barnum all appeared in the hall, as did William Lyon Mackenzie, Toronto's first mayor and Upper Canada Rebellion leader. In the 20th century, St. Lawrence Hall lost prominence and fell into disrepair. By 1965, it was partially derelict and threatened with demolition. A campaign led by architect Eric Arthur resulted in the restoration of the building and its recognition as a National Historic Site in 1967.
157 King St East, Toronto, ON, Canada
Subjects
Ann Boleyn's Well. A romantic tradition alleges that a blow from the hoof of Anne Boleyn's horse caused the spring (now dry) to rise. However, "Bullen's Well" more likely refers to "Bolonia" or "Boulogne", the Count of Boulogne was lord of the manor in the 12th century. The well may have been near a chapel dedicated to "Our Lady of Boulogne".
All Saints’ Churchyard, High Street, Carshalton, London, United Kingdom
Subjects
William Frederick Woodington 1806-1893 sculptor was born here
The Three Tuns, 19 High Street, Sutton Coldfield, United Kingdom
Subjects
Steenbergs 1900. Originally built as a boot making works by the Newcastle Co-operative Society. Conversion by Home Housing Association for flats and workshops opened by Jim Cousins MP in July 2000.
Stepney Bank, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Texas Historical Marker #09698
Bertram. The town of Bertram was founded in 1882 when the Austin and Northwestern Railroad established a route through the area. The community was named for Rudolph Bertram, an Austin merchant who was instrumental in the development of the rail line. Many early residents were from the settlement of South Gabriel (2 mi. SE). Homes and commercial buildings of the pioneer settlers were moved here by brothers L. R. and J. W. Gray. The first store, also relocated from South Gabriel, was run by James E. Riley and Capt. Tom D. Vaughan. Bertram developed as a marketing center for the area's diversified agricultural production. Continued growth came during World War I when the demand for farm and ranch products increased. By the 1920s it was the site of auto dealerships, four banks, a newspaper, a hotel and a variety of other businesses. The economic depression of the 1930s, World War II and improved methods of transportation combined to limit Bertram's growth. Incorporated in the 1970s, the town remains an agricultural center. It serves as a reminder of the pioneers who settled here over a century ago. Many of their descendants still live in the area and serve as leaders of the community. #9698
?, Bertram, TX, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2207
Bracken Baptist Church. Church constituted in 1793 by the Rev. Lewis Craig, leader of the "Traveling Church." Bracken Baptist Assoc. also formed here in 1799. The congreggation divided over slavery in 1805, with each faction having own pastor. Church again split in 1829 during the Campbell movement, which called for Biblical liberalism. Over. (Reverse) The church's membership began to decline in 1850. The building was last used as a house of worship around 1900. The property was sold to a private citizen in 1930 for $280 and used as a tobacco barn. The property was donated to the Friends of Minerva historical group in 1996. Restoration of the building completed in 2005. Over.
Highway 435,3429 Dover Minerva Rd, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2190
Lewis & Clark in Kentucky. WILLIAM CLARK William Clark, coleader of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, and his family stopped at Allsbury’s Tavern in Hopkinsville on Oct. 2, 1809. In 1807 Clark was appointed militia brigadier general and chief Indian agent for the Louisiana Territory. Over. THOMAS ALLSBURY Thomas Allsbury was an early tavern keeper in Hopkinsville. In the War of 1812 he organized a company and served as a captain in the First Regiment of Kentucky Mounted Militia. Over. *Sponsored by Ohio River Chapter-Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Fdn.; Christian Co. Fiscal Court; Col. John Green Chapter, D.A.R.; John Manire Chapter, S.A.R.; Pennyroyal Area Museum; Hopkinsville/Christian Co. Hist. Soc.; Christian Co. Gen. Soc.; Natl. Park Service, Ky. Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Com.
Main & Court Streets, Hopkinsville, KY, United States
Theatre Royal. A Theatre has stood on this site since 1776. The current building was designed by the famous theatre architect Frank Matcham (1854-1920) and opened on 15th October 1894. This Grade II* Listed Building is Matcham's smallest surviving theatre in the British Isles
Drury Lane, Wakefield, United Kingdom
