History of Trafalgar Square 14th to 17th century: Most of the area now occupied by Trafalgar Square was the courtyard of the Great Mews stabling, which served Whitehall Palace. 1812: The architect John Nash began to develop ‘a new street from Charing Cross to Portland Place’. He wanted it to be a cultural space open to the public. 1830: The site was officially named Trafalgar Square. 1832: Work began on the National Gallery. 1838: Sir Charles Barry presented a plan to develop Trafalgar Square. This included the Nelson memorial statue and two fountains. 1843: Nelson’s Column, designed by William Railton, was erected 1845: The fountains were built. 1867: Sir Edwin Landseer designed the bronze lions placed on guard at the base of Nelson’s Column. 1876: The Imperial Measures were set into the north terrace wall published onInstagram