No. 6: Vacant
Jesus College has taken over this building next to Boswell House, formerly occupied by the "Oxford Story".
The building dates from about 1800, and is Grade II listed (ref. 1485/169).
This was a former book warehouse, whose premises extend as far south as Ship Street and include a bastion of the former city wall. From 1974 the front shop was used as Blackwell's Children's bookshop, which moved next door in 1986.
In 1772 a survey of every house in the city was taken in consequence of the Mileways Act of 1771. The house that then stood on this site was in the occupation of a Mr George, and its frontage measured 7 yards 2 feet 6 inches.
The 1841 and 1851 censuses show John Crews Dudley living in this house (which was numbered 7 before 1861). In 1851 he was a widower of 40, but his wife must have died very recently, as the youngest of his five children is only one year old. This baby, George Dennis Dudley, was to take over the business from his father in 1875.
In 1881 it was occupied by Joseph A. Muir (a tailor & outfitter employing twelve men). He lived over the shop with his wife and five young daughters, looked after by a cook and housemaid.
Various government departments were housed here between 1921 and 1947. From then until 1970 it was the Broad Street post office (formerly at No. 12).
- See the memories of Connie
Coppock, who worked here during the second world war
|
Occupants of 6 Broad Street listed in directories |
|
1823–1876 |
Solicitors 1823–1846: Crews Dudley & Son 1852–1876: John Crews Dudley 1875–1876: George Dennis Dudley |
1880 |
J.A. Muir |
1882–1899 |
William Baker |
1890–1906 |
Mark Dugald Stark, Physician & Surgeon |
1907–1909 |
Charles Hadland |
1910–1914 |
Richard Hawkins (Mrs Hawkins from 1912), University lodging house |
1918–1920 |
Oxfordshire Women's Agricultural Committee |
1921–1947 |
Numerous Government Departments, e.g. |
| 1949–1970 | Broad Street Post Office |
| 1972–1973 | Carmita, Bahay Kubo Enterprises Ltd Gift shop |
| 1974–1986 | Blackwell's Children's Bookshop (moved from No. 22, and moved on to No. 8) |
| 1986–2007 | Oxford Story (An exhibition centre by Heritage Projects Ltd ) |
| 2007– | Vacant (Jesus College conference facilities and accommodation being created upstairs) |