History notes

Some have suggested that the name 'Jericho' has something to do with the jerry builders who constructed many of the houses. In fact the name, which is often used to signify remoteness, was probably derived from the Jericho House, a public house on or near the site of the current Philanderer and Firkin. The area behind the inn was called Jericho Gardens. The area became commercially much more significant with the completion of the Oxford Canal in 1790 – which also stimulated the building of more houses. Among other things, this blocked the drainage of streams and sewers and Jericho suffered major cholera epidemics in 1832, 1849, and 1854, after which many residents left to live in Wolvercote. In the 19th Century, Jericho was a citadel of the religious Oxford Movement – centred on Thomas Combe, superintendent of the Clarendon Press from 1838-77. He was a great benefactor of Jericho and provided funds for building St. Barnabas Church and helped with the old school on Great Clarendon Street. Some street names: Hart Street – Named after the Printer to the University 1883-1915. Juxon Street – Named after William Juxon, President of St John’s College from 1621-33. Cranham Street – Commemorates a St. John’s living purchased in 1927 for £4,500 Nelson Street – Takes its name from the Lord Nelson pub (since renamed the Carpenters’ Arms).