Jalan Besar, literally meaning big (or wide) road in Malay, began life as a road through the estate of the Norris' brothers' betel nut and fruit orchard started in the 1830s. Due to the proximity to the mangroves, the brothers started planting nipah which thrived in the swampy environment.
Due to increasing traffic to the nearby Race Course which was constructed in the 1840s, the Municipality decided to expand the road in the 1880s and 1890s, and subsequently named it Jalan Besar. However, a large part of the area south of Jalan Besar remained as swampland until it was gradually filled by dumping refuse over time. Coincidentally or not, Singapore's first refuse incinerator was also sited along Jalan Besar in 1889.
Today, you can still find shophouses and buildings from the late 19th century to the mid- 20th century lining both sides of Jalan Besar. The colours that dominated the buildings in this area were favourites with the general Malay and Straits Chinese population which was predominant in the area. In fact, the architecture in the area is so unique that Jalan Besar has been given conservation status by the Urban Redevelopment Authority in their Conservation Master Plan since 25 October 1991.