Dr. James Naismith 1861-1939

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2004

Photo Source - Wikipedia Commons

Plaque Location

The County of Lanark
The Town of Mississippi Mills
In a pull-off in front of the house, on Road 29, street number 4968
just north of James Naismith Way/Clayton Road
3.2 km north of Road 16 in Almonte

Coordinates: N 45 14.502 W 76 13.918

Plaque Text

This is the boyhood home of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. Born in a house which formerly stood on this lot, he entered McGill University in 1883 where he was active in athletics. In 1890 Naismith graduated in theology from Presbyterian College, Montreal and subsequently enrolled at the International Y.M.C.A. Training School (now Springfield College) in Massachusetts. There was a need for a competitive team sport that could be played indoors during the winter months, and, there, in December 1891, Naismith devised a game, played under thirteen basic rules, with a ball and two round baskets. He directed physical education at the University of Kansas for thirty-six years and died at Lawrence, Kansas.

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December 22, 2011
The burgundy and gold federal plaque has been located and is on the wall of a residence at 100 James Naismith Way, about 750 metres south of the boyhood home. This is a private residence and the owner is not partial to uninvited viewers of the plaque, even though by rights it should be fully accessible to the public (why else is a plaque erected?). The number of local residents that know the plaque is there is limited given the effort it took to unearth its whereabouts.

January 17, 2011
In reply to the question of Jan. 9, below... I've searched a few places online and can't find the federal marker either. That's a frustration I share, and it's worse when you're on the road. On a trip to SW Quebec, I visited no fewer than ELEVEN sites whose plaques were missing. Parks Canada reports a problem in that region, with many being stolen. By the way, the national park service/HSMB lists Naismith as a "national historic person", without "of Canada" added. The same seems to be true for all persons and events. I'm glad. There's an unhealthy obsession about prefixing or suffixing nearly every company, federal department, museum or NGO with 'Canada' or 'Canadian'. So unnecessary, repetitive, and smacking of a certain lack of confidence. Until recently, the national parks and historic sites were a welcome respite from that obsession. -Wayne

January 9, 2011
James Naismith was designated a National Historic Person of Canada in 1976. Supposedly an Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC)plaque was erected in his honour in 1991. This federal plaque would be burgundy with gold lettering. Does anyone know its whereabouts? It seems to be neither at the boyhood home (where the blue and gold provincial plaque is located) nor at the Basketball Hall of Fame at the Mill of Kintail.

December 30, 2010
James Naismith was truly a great man. He was great because he invented something everybody loves, basketball. I wish I could have met him but he is dead and he will be remembered forever.

January 5, 2010
It is so neat to see the town of Almonte on T.V. thanks to Dr. James Naismith who invented the best game ever and will always be my favorite school days sport.

November 29, 2009
who are those basketball players that has special skill? can you please tell me.... that's our homework PLEASE!!!!>.... tnx...

November 13, 2009
did you noe that my great-great grandfather was in the claass when it was invented?? His name is Frank Hoyt Mahan.

Posted May 19, 2009
Dr. James Naismith you rock. BASKETBALL ROCKS

Posted May 3, 2009
James Naismith is my hero

Posted January 9, 2009
what did he do after the season? my email is

Posted December 18, 2008
in gym every day my gym teacher is talking about him . and we are doing the elk free throwing contest at martha elementary and i won for the 12 year old division . and if i win the next round for my age group i will get to go to st. joe high school . well nice sharing my comment with who ever gets this BYYY!!

Posted December 7, 2008
wow i never knew that he was such a genious

Posted October 17, 2008
that is amazing!

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