Oxford Street It was known as Tyburn Road through the Middle Ages when it was notorious for public hangings of prisoners in Newgate Prison. It became known as Oxford Road and then Oxford Street in the 18th century, and began to change from residential to commercial and retail purposes by the late 19th century, attracting street traders, confidence tricksters and prostitution. The first department stores in Britain opened in the early 20th century, including Selfridges, John Lewis and HMV. Unlike nearby shopping streets such as Bond Street, it has retained an element of downmarket trading alongside more prestigious retail stores. The street
St Michael's Street, Oxford the prison reformer Felicia Skene (1821–1899), located at 34 St Michael's Street. St Michael's Street, Oxford St Michael's Street is a street in central Oxford, England. It runs between New Inn Hall Street to the west and Cornmarket to the east, with Ship Street almost opposite. Northgate Hall is located here. Also to be found off the street is the debating chamber of the Oxford Union, a leading student society in the University of Oxford. Vanbrugh House at No. 20 is of particular architectural note as being ""almost a parody of Blenheim"" according to Pevsner. There is a blue plaque,