St Giles public conveniences, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK
Image details
Contributor:
Tony Smith / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
2K5J0BHFile size:
34.3 MB (1.5 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
4000 x 3000 px | 33.9 x 25.4 cm | 13.3 x 10 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
20 May 2014Location:
St Giles, Woodstock Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK, OX2 6HTMore information:
These underground toilets in St Giles’ were built in 1895. They were for gentlemen only, as there was no question in Victorian times of building an outdoor public convenience for women. Work on excavating the site had started by 17 August 1895, when the following report appeared in Jackson's Oxford Journal: DISCOVERY OF RELICS.— During the excavation which has been made in connection with the new underground public convenience in St. Giles's the workmen came upon a large quantity of bones and horns, apparently those of oxen and deer, at a depth of about 7ft., a pair of horns being in excellent preservation; they also found a stoneware jug, minus the handle and broken at the spout, and two small cups made of red pottery and glazed, both much damaged. Toilet railings The work was completed by 12 October 1895, when Jackson’s Oxford Journal reported: Corporation works An underground convenience has been built near the southern end of St. Giles-street, containing two w.c.’s and four urinals. These are reached by a flight of York stone steps from the surface of the street, and the structure is surrounded by a strong cast-iron railing on York stone base. The fittings are in the best white glazed ware, and the whole of the brickwork is lined internally with white and buff glazed bricks, the floor being of vitrified tiles laid upon concrete. The convenience is roofed with cement concrete carried upon steel girders, with pavement lights, cast-iron ventilators, &c. There was originally just one entrance (the present southern one), and the railings surrounding are inscribed with the name of their maker, LUCY & CO, OXFORD (right) A second entrance with matching railings was built at a later date.