In the late 1830s the land of Fitzroy was subdivided into sections along with other areas north of the city. Within Fitzroy there were 12 sections, the most undesirable, being section 85 which consisted of majority swamp lands. I am not sure who purchased section 85 of Jika Jika parish, but, at some point between the late 1830’s and 1970’s the land becomes the property of J.M. Smith Esq. a solicitor from England who was fast making his fortunes in Melbourne. Over the period from 1840-1880 the large sections of Fitzroy were broken down and subdivided for the purpose of building houses (refer Fitzroy – Melbourne’s First Suburb, p.10-11, The First Suburb by Miles Lewis). The last of these sections was section 85. In 1876, a plan for the subdivision of the block bordered by Cecil St (N), Young St (W), Westgarth St (S) and Napier St (E) was created. You can see from the map below that there was a strange design applied to the sites. In particular, on Napier St, site 12, 14, 16 and 18 were double blocks.
This site was the double block ’14’. The purchaser was likely the builder and built both 433 and 435 together.
Vacant 1890
Peter McCusky (Storekeeper) – resident Dec 1894 (Ratebooks, 1894)
Sands & MacDougall 1895, have McCusky still living at this address, but it appears that he likely had moved to Kerr Street. Both 433 and 435 were owned at this time by Henry Alger.
A J McConvill – resident 1900
V Cohen – resident 1905
Henry Rose – resident 1910
A. W. C. Le Gassick – resident 1915
Henry McMullen (Assistant Undertaker) and Eliza McMullen (Home Duties) – resident -1920-1925
In 1925 Violet Eliza McMullen (Sales) is also living at 433 Napier Street (Electoral Roll, 1925).
Vacant in 1930
Mrs Rose Muir – resident 1935-1940
Mrs C Dorman – resident 1945
Mrs G K Coupar – resident 1950-1955
P Resnelis – resident 1960
No resident recorded in 1965 or 1970
E A Ghasperidis – 1975
