Nicholson Street, Melbourne

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Nicholson Street is a street in inner Melbourne. It is named after William Nicholson, then member of the Legislative Council, and later Premier of Victoria from 1859 to 1860.

Nicholson Street, looking towards the city

[edit] Geography

Nicholson Street runs north-south through inner northern Melbourne. At its southernmost end, it connects to Spring Street near Bourke Street. Between Victoria Parade and Alexandra Parade, it forms the boundary between Carlton and Fitzroy; between Alexandra Parade and Brunswick Road, it forms the boundary between Carlton North and Fitzroy North; north of Brunswick Road, its remaining length is in Brunswick East. Nicholson Street merges into Albion Street, Brunswick, just north of its intersection with Blyth Street. Tram route 96, which enters Nicholson Street at the city end and terminates near Blyth Street, runs along virtually the entire length of the street.

Nicholson Street, Brunswick, is often confused with nearby Nicholson Street, Coburg, which also runs north to south. Nicholson Street, Coburg, is a continuation of Holmes Street, which is itself a continuation of Lygon Street.

[edit] History

Nicholson Street was built in 1854 to provide a road from Melbourne to the stone quarries of Brunswick East. It initially ended at Brunswick Road. Residents to the north of Brunswick Road had to travel west to Sydney Road in order to travel into Melbourne, adding several miles to the journey. These residents began a public campaign to have Nicholson Street extended to the north. Two land owners sold their land at inflated prices in order for the extension to go ahead, which happened in 1868.

[edit] Landmarks

Several Melbourne landmarks are located on Nicholson Street, including Parliament House and the Princess Theatre at its southern terminus. Just to the north lie the Royal Exhibition Building and the Melbourne Museum, both in Carlton Gardens, and St Vincent's Hospital. Further north, in Brunswick at the corner of Blyth Street, Melbourne alternative radio station 3RRR makes its home.