McKinnon in the early days 1850 to 1900 was market gardens. Joe Lees inherited his father’s land (c 1874) and was quite successful racing his horses, using the bush track behind the Hotel on the corner of East Boundary and Centre Roads for training.

Sir Thomas Bent late of Bay Street Brighton formerly of Hampton Street, St Andrews Street and Dendy Street (or Road) in the Borough of Brighton Parish of Moorabin County of Bourke, Colony of Victoria Member of Parliament, Mayor of Brighton, Gentleman, Land Speculator died 1909. Still today, 2016, one hundred and forty three years later, the name Thomas Bent survives and remains on title as the registered proprietor in fee simple of a piece of land adjoining Barkly and Parliament Streets Brighton.