THE HIGH, OXFORD

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85: Antiques on High


85 High Street

 

No. 85 is a timber-framed house of the seventeenth or eighteenth century that was enlarged in the early nineteenth century. It is owned by University College, and there is student accommodation upstairs. It is a Grade II listed building (ref. 1485/417).

This site was originally owned by The Queen’s College, and the Saracen’s Head stood here by 1442.

In 1772 a survey of every house in the city was taken in consequence of the Mileways Act of 1771. No. 85 was then in the occupation of a Mrs Horn, and its frontage measured 7 yards 1 foot 7 inches

During the early part of the nineteenth century the house was occupied by the Hickman father and son, both plumbers. At the time of the 1851 census, Mrs Lucy Hickman, a widow of 47 described as a "plumber and glazier", lived here alone with one servant.

In 1861 the building was occuiped by George Webb, a gun maker, and his family.

In 1881, Richard Beesley, a lodging house keeper, lived here with his wife and niece.

This shop was part of the Co-op cafe next door until 1956, when it became a Co-op grocer’s shop. This survived until 1970. In 1971 the City of Oxford Motor Services moved in, but in 1976 they moved to their present home at No. 83, just next door but one.

While the original Frank Cooper marmalade shop extended eastwards from No. 84 into No. 83, when No. 84 became Frank Cooper shop again in 1984, it took over No. 85 to the west for its office, museum, and storage premises.

In the early 1970s, a transfer of property between The Queen’s College and University College brought this shop at No. 85 under the same ownership as its neighbours to the east and the upper floors of Nos. 83–85 were made into a single unit, which has been occupied by students of University College since that date.

Occupiers of 85 High Street
1839, 1846, 1852Charles R. Hickman, Plumber &c. (1839, 1846)
Lucy Hickman, Painter & glazier (1851/2)
1861–1869George Webb
1871–1876James Brown
Ale & porter merchant
1880–1885Mr Beesley
1887–1907Mrs Elizabeth Parker
University lodgings
1909–1916James C. Leed Tobacconist and
Mrs J. C. Leed, University lodgings
1918–1935George E. Weeks & Co.
Bakers
1936–1945Russell Butler, Peto & Marks
Auctioneers & estate agents
1949–1954Part of Co-op Café at Nos. 83 and 84
1958–1970Co-operative Grocery
1971–1976City of Oxford Motor Services Ltd
1984–c.1990 Frank Cooper Ltd Museum (and at 84)
1998–presentAntiques on High

Contact: Stephanie Jenkins

 

Last updated: 29 November, 2007