The northern section of the road, from the Old College southwards as far as the Mill Pond, was originally known in the 14th century as ’Estrete’ (ie East Street). Southwards from the Mill Pond the road was constructed by John Morgan, who leased fields at the foot of Grange Lane in the late 1780s, to connect Dulwich with Penge. In return he was permitted to build, and take tolls from, the Toll gate, to pay for the upkeep of what remains a private road.