East Melbourne, Simpson Street 095, 097

Winston Burchett on his index card referring to 93 Simpson Street quotes an entry in the City of Melbourne's building register as follows: 'Laurence Hanlon to build for self two brick and stone cottages fronting Simpson Street' It is unlikely that this entry refers to 93, which does not appear to be recorded until 1869. A map of Melbourne and its Suburbs, c.1865, by James Kearney, shows the two cottages at 95 and 97, but not the cottage at 93. Hanlon, was not, in fact, the first owner of Nos. 95 and 97 as George K. Johnston had owned the land since he bought it at the Crown Land sales of 1854. His will shows that he remained the owner of the land until his death in 1883. Hanlon, as builder and applicant, possibly filled in his own name as owner as a matter of convenience. He rented one of the cottages for the first year. Eventually Johnston built six cottages on his quarter acre block: 89-91, the two cottages that became 93, and 95-97