In 1837 Robert Hoddle, the colony’s Surveyor General, divided undeveloped paddocks north of the boundary of the Melbourne area into square mile allotments. The government reserved some of the land for the main boundary streets, including Nicholson Street, Victoria Parade, Alexandra Parade and Smith Street. Land for another east-west street was also set aside at this time and eventually became Johnston Street. (Gertrude Street, Jill Robertson, Fitzroy History Society, p.2)