Cowley Road north, Oxford: number changes

Cowley Road, Oxford: Number changes on the north-east side

Cowley Road, Oxford was numbered for the first time in about 1880, using the old system,
starting with 1–2–3–4–5 up one side and then crossing the road and continuing down the other, which meant that
the lowest number (1) and the highest number (242) were opposite each other at the junction with The Plain.

When the boundary of Oxford was extended to the Boundary Brook in 1889, this old system meant that
there were no obvious numbers that could be used for new houses built in the extra part of the Cowley Road
that now fell within the city, so the renumbering that took place in 1891/2 was essential.
This was done in the modern way, with odd numbers on one side and even ones on the other starting at the Plain.
This was virtually future-proof, as new numbers could easily be added at the end on each side.

The 1891 census still has the old numbers while Kelly's Directory for 1893 has the new ones,
and they are correlated in the table below.

The 1893 numbers on the north-east side remain the same today as far east as Bartlemas Close,
BUT: the houses that were allocated the numbers 263–283 in the 1890s
were renumbered 287–307 before the 1911 census because of early twentieth-century infilling

Parishes in the 1891 census:
following some adjustments made as a result of the Divided Parishes and Poor Law Amendment Act of 1882,
the present 1–95 Cowley Road (then 1–40) can be found under St Clement's civil parish and
the present 101–395 Cowley Road (then 43–85) under Cowley civil parish

NORTH-EAST SIDE from the Plain roundabout to Marsh Road
1891 census		1893 directory		2026
1	Edwin Edmonds Brewer's manager	1	H. & G. Simonds Ltd, Brewers	1
2	George J. Wakelin Printer, compositor, book dealer	3	Albert Bowell	3 & 5 Tick Tock Café
3	George J. Wakelin Printer, compositor, book dealer	5	George James Wakelin Boot maker	3 & 5 Tick Tock Café
4	Thomas L. Ball Carpenter	7	Cutler Boulter Provident Dispensary Harry Beasley Printer Mrs Elizabeth Davis Dress maker	7 House
—	—	9	Henry Lowe Watch maker	9 House
5	John Pike Master baker	11	John Pike Baker	11 House
6	John Pike Master baker	13	John Pike Baker	13 Hammels
7	Amelia Weston Laundress	15	Frank Weston Hairdresser Mrs Amelia Weston Laundry	15 House
8	George Butler College Manciple & Cook	17	George Butler Lodging house	17 House
9	Mrs Zilpah James Lodging house keeper	19	Mrs Zilpah James Lodging house	19 House
10	Moses Jackman Retired college servant	21	Moses Jackman Lodging house	21 Tribe café
11	James Dean Ironmonger	23	John Dean & Son Ironmongers	23 Café Coco
Here is Black Horse Yard (now the site of Dawson Street, created in 1901)
12	Jeanette Spiller Lodging house keeper	25	Edwin English Stationer Mrs Jeanette Spiller Lodging house	25 & 27 Kazbar restaurant
13	Robert W. Davis House painter	27	Henry Greenaway Stationer Mrs Robert Davis Dress maker	25 & 27 Kazbar restaurant
14	Henry Farrant College servant, bed maker	29	H. S. Watts H. Farrant	29 Fellows Barber
15	John W. Wyatt College servant, bed maker	31	Mrs Sarah Wyatt Lodging house	31 House
16	John E. Tanner Carpenter	33	Frederick George Tanner Cabinet maker John Eyre Tanner	33 Nu-Hair
17	John Abbott Boot maker	35	Thomas Henry Abbott Boot maker	35 37 39 Grade II listed houses
18	—	37	James Henry Bryan Saddler Mrs R. Bryan Registry office
19	James H. Bryan Saddler	39	James Henry Bryan Saddler Mrs R. Bryan Registry office
20 & 21	Ernest Ludecke Medical Instrument seller, tobacconist	41 43	Ernest Ludecke Musical instrument warehouse Mrs Caroline & Miss Anna Ludecke Day school	41 43 45 47 49 Modern Mansfield College block, with college motto over the door Shiraz on ground floor of No. 49
22	Joseph Ganter Watchmaker	45	Joseph Ganter Watch maker
23 & 24	John C. Adams Decorator, plumber etc	47 49	47: Arthur Adams Coal & coke merchant 47 & 49 John Charles Adams Decorator
25	Richard Gunstone College wine steward	51	Richard Gunstone	51 7-Gates Damascus Café
25a	Maria Gunstone Superintendant of YWCA rooms	53	Miss Gunstone	53 Tahmid Stores
Here is William Street (now Tyndale Road)
—	—	—	—	55 Vintage Barbers
26	James Smith Laundry business	57	Mrs James Smith Laundress	57 Bangladeshi Islamic Education Centre
27?	Thomas L. Madley Lay clerk & pianoforte tuner	59	Miss Heddey	59 Seoul Plaza
—	—	—	—	61 & 63 Modern block with Los Hermanos Café
28	William J. P. Pett Secondhand clothier	65	William Pitt	65 Uni Barber
29	Mary Shurrock Of no occupation	67	A. E. Shurrock Tailor	67 House
30	William J. Allnutt College servant (messenger)	69	William John Allnutt	69 House
31	Rose H. Bishop Laundress	71	Percival Powell	71 House
32	Albert Smith Army Pensioner & Beerhouse keeper	73	William Holliday Beer retailer	73 House
Here is Alma Place
33	John McLean Tailor & draper	75	John McLean Travelling draper	75 House
34	John Bacon College cook	77	John Bacon	77 House
35	Thomas H. Evans Coal merchant	79	Thomas Henry Evans Coal merchant	79 House
36	Richard Miller College servant (bedmaker)	81	Richard Miller	81 House
37	William G. Burchell Master tailor	83	William George Burchell Tailor	83 House
—	—	85 & 87 not listed	—	Methodist Church since 1904 Grade II listed
38	Frank Ayers Furniture dealer & oilman	89 & 91	Frank Ayers Furniture broker	Methodist Church since 1904 Grade II listed
*Today Jeune Street is here, but it was cut through until 1901*
—	—	93	George Bulbeck	Site of Jeune Street? At the back of the pub?
39	Alfred C. Hymus Cab proprietor	[no number]	Alfred Charles Hyams Corn merchant	Site of Jeune Street? At the back of the pub?
40	Elm Tree Tavern Henry Rogers Innkeeper's manager	95	Elm Tree P.H. Henry Rogers	95 Big Society Grade II listed
[41]	—	97	J. H. Bird Printer	[97 not used]
[42]	—	99	Nazareth House (for aged, infirm & infantine poor) Convent of the Sisters of Nazareth	99 Now student accommodation for Oriel College
Here is Pembroke Street (now Rectory Road)
43 “The Limes”	John Draper Registrar of Births & Marriages, Relieving Officer, Vaccination & School attendance Officer, Collector to Guardians	101	John Draper Collector to the guardians, relieving & vaccination officer Headington district & registrar of births & deaths St Clement's sub-district, & marriages for Headington Union	101 Mostro Coffee & Truck Store records
44	Arthur W. Pearson Jeweller's assistant	103	Arthur Pearson	103 Pizzeria Trattoria Mario
45	Mary A. Green Widow living on own means	105	Mrs Green	105 The Gameskeeper (appears closed)
46	Edwin Combes Gardener	107	Edwin Coombs	107 Chicken Cottage
47	Henry Carr Retired college servant	109	Henry Carr	109 Vic Dry Cleaners & Alterations
48	Michael W. J. Adams Manager, Tailoring business	111	Michael William J. Adams	111 House
49	Joseph Nelson Musical instrument maker	113	Joseph Nelson Harmonium manufacturer	113 House
50	Stephen E. Miller Assistant chemist	115	Stephen Edward Miller Lodging house	115 House
51	Samuel J. Shipp Schoolmaster	117	Samuel John Shipp	117 House
Here is Princes Street
52	New Inn Frederick J. Hall Innkeeper	119	New Inn Frederick Joseph Valentine Hall	119 Brewdog (appears closed)
53	John Coombes Carpenter	121	Alfred Williamson General shop	121 123 Betfred
54	Unoccupied	123	James W. King	121 123 Betfred
55	William Marriott Boot maker	125	William Marriott Bootmaker	125 Sandwiches Shop
56	Charles Bentley Grocer	127	F. G. Chadwell	127 Sam Mart
57	John Massingham Retired master mariner	129	William Markham Butcher	129 Cowley Cutz
58	George Smith Living on own means	[131]	No listing	131 Vintage Refresh Café
59	Maria Molyneux Widow of independent means George Smith Baker	133	Mrs Molyneux	133 135 Oxfam shop
60	Harry Nash Bookseller's assistant	135	Harry Nash	133 135 Oxfam shop
61	Edward A. Teegen Dyer, cleaner & finisher	137	Edward Ambrose Teegen Dyer	137 139 Afghan Cuisine
62	Henry T. Jackson Photographer & firework agent	139	Henry T. Jackson Firework agent	137 139 Afghan Cuisine
63	John Wells Market sweeper	141	John Wells	141 143 145 Oxford Community Action Café
64	Adelaide Milan Dressmaker	143	Mrs Milan
65	Samuel Grafton Sculptor	145	Samuel Grafton Sculptor
Here is Union Street
66	William J. Nicholas Baker & coal merchant	147	William John Nicholls Baker	147 & 149 Powell's Design
67	William Richings Plumber & glazier	151	William Richings Plumber	Modern building: Boots the Chemist Appears to spread over site of 151 Former school 153 155 157
No number	Cowley St John School (intermediate & infants)
68 69 70 71	Alfred Butler Miller & corn merchant	153 155 157	Alfred Butler Baker Alfred Butler Boot maker
72	George Wiggins Registered shoeing smith & carriage builder	159 161	George Wiggins Shoeing smith	159 161 also includes 163 165 167 Tesco
73	James Goold Coal merchant	167	James Goold	159 161 also includes 163 165 167 Tesco
Here is Chapel Street
74	Elizabeth Corbett Widow living on own means	169	Mrs Corbett	169 My Barbers [modern, added to side of 171]
75	Caroline Baxter Widow living on own means	171	Mrs Baxter	171 Cowley Local
76	Richard W. Bridgewater Journeyman tailor	173	Richard White Bridgwater Tailor	173 Ox Repairing Station
77	Robert Hobbs Tailor	[175]	—	175 Subway
78	William E. Best Clerk in Holy Orders, Chaplain of the Oxford Workhouse	177	Revd William Edward Best, M.A. Chaplain of the Oxford workhouse & poor law schools, Cowley	177
79	Peter Morrison Draper's traveller	179	Mrs Morrison	179 Jin-Jin Chinese restaurant
80	James Soame Photographer	181	James Soame Artist	181 Zaneta Lichnova Hair
81	Mary A. Castle Independent means	183	Miss Castle	183 Lanzhou Beef Noodles
82	Charles Rolls Waiter	185	T. L. Meadley Pianoforte tuner & repairer	185 Fred's Discount Store
83	Dinah Crickmay Primitive Methodist Minister's wife	187	Thomas Kench	187 189 191 Red Star Chinese Restaurant
84	Mary A. Ashfield Widow living on her own means	189	James Soame, senior
85	Mary E. Hicks Lydia J. Hicks Governesses, private school	191	Misses L. & M. Hicks School
86	Bartholomew Fortescue Nurseryman	193	Bartholomew Fortescue Nurseryman	193 Sundaes Gelato
Here is East Avenue
87	Mary E. Thomas Widow of independent means	195	Edwin James Thomas	195 House
88	[Only the lodger at home]	197	Albert Neuzerling	197 House
89	Alfred E. Shurrock Journeyman tailor	199	W. Woosman	199 House
90*	Robert Dunn College servant (boots)	201	Robert Dunn	201 House
91*	David Organ Builder (employer)	203	David Organ	203 House
92*	Ephraim Organ Builder (employer)	205	Ephraim Organ Organ Brothers, builders	205 (new block for St Hilda's College with retail shop below to let)
—	[Workhouse]	205a	OXFORD WORKHOUSE (Rev. William Edward Best, M.A., Chaplain; E. C. Stedham,master & Mrs Sarah Stedman, matron)	East Oxford Health Centre with Manzil Way following the route of the old path to the workhouse
—	—	207	—	207 Cake Box
—	—	209	Rowland Powell Tailor	209 5 Akhis burgers
—	—	[211]	[No listing]	211 Regina's Hair & Beauty Cosmetics
—	—	213	George Longhurst House decorator	213
—	—	[215]	—	215 Chancellor's estate agents
* In the 1891 census the numbers 90, 91, & 92 were duplicated on the other side of the road Here is Divinity Road
—	—	—	Organ & Co Builders' Merchants	217–233 NEWER HOUSES (built after 1899) starting with Co-op
Here is Bartlemas Road
—	—	—	Herbert Richard Pether Cricket bat maker	235–249 NEWER HOUSES (built after 1899) starting with Oxford Osteopaths
—	—	?251 Fairview	W. H. Warwick	251 James C. Penny Estate Agent
Here is Southfield Road
	—	253	Miss Buckler	253 & 255 Athena Guest House
	—	255	Mrs Watkins	253 & 255 Athena Guest House
	—	257	Revd Ralph Brockman	257 House
	—	259	Revd Ralph Brockman	259 House
	—	261 (Ferndale)	George Thomas Sessions	261 House
	—	Bartlemas Cottage	Henry Smart	There is now a modern (1950s?) block in this area with these numbers: 263: Akmal Hair 265: Tax Assist 267: Scott Fraser
	—	Bartlemas Cottage	E. Smart Carpenter, wheelwright etc
	—	Bartlemas Farm	Mrs Pether Farmer
*Modern entrance to Evelyn Court (at 267b Cowley Road, behind the new block) Bartlemas Nursery School off the Cowley Road was numbered 269 from 1949, but the site was redeveloped by Oriel College in 2010 There are no numbers today between 271 and 285 inclusive: Sports grounds*
Here is Bartlemas Close *providing access to Oriel and Lincoln College Sports Grounds to the north* Formerly led to Southfield Farm, which is now built over by Southfield Park Later nineteenth-century houses The following houses were built after the 1893 directory but are listed as follows in the 1899 directory They appear to have been renumbered after new houses were built to the west, and were given their current numbers at some point between the 1901 and 1911 censuses
[Not in 1891 census]		1899 directory		2026
—	—	263	Allen Carter	287
—	—	265	Thomas William Woodward	289
—	—	267	Frank R. Greenwood Professor of Music	291
—	—	269	Mrs Blackburn Caine	293
—	—	271	George James Walklett	295
—	—	273	Miss Davis	297
—	—	275	John Arnett	299
—	—	277	Thomas Barnes	301
—	—	279	Thomas Samuel Whiting Masseur	303
—	—	281 (Barrack End)	Mrs Good	305
—	—	283	Thomas L. Meadley Pianoforte tuner	307
Cumberland Lodge	John Smith in 1891	Described on 24 September 1892 as having a frontage to the High Road of about 220ft and to the lane between Bartlemas and Temple Cowley of about 225ft
Here is the present No. 309, and then Belvedere Road* (modern)*
Twentieth-century expansion towards Cowley The bulk of the twentieth-century houses on the north-east side starts after this point. They are numbered from 311 to 391, and are intersected by another two new roads: Cumberland Avenue between 359 and 365 Glanville Road between 389 and 391 Rivera at 393 & 395 Cowley Road Henry Taunt's nineteenth-century house came immediately after Glanville Road and originally stood in open countryside
Rivera	Frances E. Miles Manageress in photographic works in 1891	Rivera	Taunt & Co Photographers in 1899	Canterbury House 393 & 395 Cowley Road (blue plaque)
The numbers 397 to 433 are not used After Rivera there are about another twenty newer twentieth-century houses from 435 to 473 Cowley Road, intersected by Reliance Way, Saunders Road, and Gillians Way. Until 1929 the City of Oxford only extended as far as the Boundary Brook near Marsh Road: hence it was at this point that Cowley Road, Oxford became Oxford Road, Cowley, and although the city boundary has since been extended to include the whole of Cowley, this change of name still exists today

Cowley Road, Oxford: Number changes on the north-east side

Later nineteenth-century houses

Twentieth-century expansion towards Cowley

Rivera at 393 & 395 Cowley Road

South-west side of Cowley Road