Owen Massey McKnight ([info]addedentry) wrote in [info]cartographica,
@ 2007-08-28 11:11:00
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Current location:Oxford, UK
Entry tags:trap streets

Trapped
I found a trap street! Comparing two editions of the Oxford A-Z street map, as you do, I spotted something had changed between 2000 and 2005 (apart from the typeface):

2000

2005

On the left, at the end of Beaumont Buildings, the earlier map shows a cul-de-sac labelled GOY CL. It was the strange name that made me notice it first - even allowing for the cryptic abbreviations of crowded maps, "Goy Close" seemed unlikely. "Godfrey Close" perhaps? But there was no entry in the index.



Just to be sure, I went to the end of the street and took this photo. Fortunately, despite being central Oxford, this is a back street off a back street, so no one's likely to be confused by the invention.


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[info]scat0324
2007-08-28 11:09 am UTC (link)
Excellent!

Looking at the map scan you've provided, noting Goy Cl is exactly in line with Worcester Place, and then looking at the OS Mastermap data, the location is actually that gap-in-the-terrace on the left of your photo, where 19 Beaumont Buildings should be and isn't. I wonder what the history is of number 19!

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[info]sir_montag
2007-08-28 03:48 pm UTC (link)
Nice spotting! I wonder how many other trap streets there are...

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[info]scat0324
2007-08-31 09:38 am UTC (link)
There's some more listed on the Open Street Map project's wiki
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/index.php/Copyright_Easter_Eggs

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[info]sir_montag
2007-08-31 04:10 pm UTC (link)
Interesting :D

Thanks for the link!

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[info]futureofrock
2007-08-28 04:03 pm UTC (link)
Well done x10.

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[info]jedibix783
2007-08-31 12:54 pm UTC (link)
That is really interesting. I wandered around there one day trying to find the Continuing Education Library and wound up down that little lane. I still didn't find the library, though.

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[info]beaumontbuilder
2007-10-12 09:17 pm UTC (link)
It might be a mistake to believe that whoever named the mythical close did not deliberately chose the name it was given. Do not be misled about the people who live around it. Do not assume that because they live in what appears to be rus in urbe, a fragrant backwater in the heart of an ancient city, that all is tranquility. Appearances are famously deceptive. Do not assume from the way the street looks that this is a place where neighbours honour that most challenging of the ten commandments. Think Midsomer Murders. And then wonder who the mysterious cartographer was and what inspired that daring insertion into the map and that very pointed choice of name.

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cartographica
(Anonymous)
2007-10-13 06:43 pm UTC (link)
from your message beaumontbuilder i'd say you knew firstly who delved into altering the map and secondly who it refers to. i lived in beaumont street for almost two decades, now i have left, but i know the deseptive nature.

so who altered the map? does the name goy close refer to the man of the church who lives on one side and the riving alcoholic who occupies the other?

there are indeed many mysterious goings on, and only a couple answered.

can any give person give clues?

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Re: cartographica
[info]beaumontbuilder
2007-12-21 05:40 pm UTC (link)
No clues, I am afraid.

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