HISTORY OF
19-20 STEEP HILL
A Building with a Story to Tell
We feel incredibly lucky to be the current guardians of 19–20 Steep Hill, a building that has been evolving for hundreds of years. Since opening Lapid Art here in 1995, we've become part of its long history, but the story of this little corner of Lincoln stretches back much, much further than ours.
Next time you visit us, take a moment to look around. Behind the shelves are centuries of history, layers of old architecture and traces of the many people who have worked, lived and traded here. It's quite something to think about how many lives this building has seen, and we're proud to be the latest chapter in its story.
Current Frontage of 19-20 Steep Hill
From an Ancient Inn to an Independent Shop
The story begins with the site next door, which was home to the Harlequin Inn, originally built in 1170. By 1744, the Harlequin was established as an inn, and during the 18th century, a separate building was added alongside it. This became what we now know as No. 19 Steep Hill.
By 1820, No. 19 had become a separate property from the Harlequin, beginning its own independent history. The ground-floor shop we occupy today extends from No. 19 into the first bay of No. 20, meaning our shop space reflects changes to the buildings over time, you can actually see the difference in bricks when looking at the front of our shop.
The building itself is full of little clues about its past. It appears to have two distinct phases of construction, with the lower section looking older than the upper floors. Although the overall structure suggests an 18th-century rebuilding or new façade, elements within the walls point towards a much earlier origin.
There are also indications that the building and the neighbouring Harlequin may once have shared a timber-framed ground-floor wall, which was later removed during alterations and redevelopment. It's a reminder that these buildings haven't always looked as they do today. They've been adapted, altered and brought back to life as the needs of the city have changed.
Rebecca Allis: A Remarkable Woman on Steep Hill
One of the most fascinating parts of our research has been discovering the people who ran businesses here before us. And one name that really stood out was Rebecca Allis.
The earliest record we've found of Rebecca trading at No. 19 dates to 1857, although it's possible she was there earlier. From around 1857 until her death in 1867, she ran a business selling second-hand clothes and antique furniture, while also living in the building with her family.
Rebecca's story is particularly interesting because she was running her own business at a time when women faced far greater barriers to financial independence. After being widowed in 1822, following the tragic death of her husband Samuel in the River Witham, she moved to Lincoln and eventually established her business on Steep Hill.
She continued working here until her death in 1867, aged 80. Imagine the changes she must have witnessed during her lifetime, both in Lincoln and in the building that was her home and workplace.
More than 150 years later, No. 19 is once again home to a female-owned business, something I am very proud of. Naturally, the products we sell are very different from Rebecca's antique furniture and second-hand clothes, but there's something rather special about that connection across the years. Different women, different generations and different businesses, all making a living from the same little spot on Steep Hill.
It's one of those pieces of history that makes us feel even more connected to the building we call home.
19 Steep Hill in 1901, earliest photograph we can find
A Shop That's Seen Many Different Lives
After Rebecca Allis, the building continued to change hands and purposes. Over the years, it has been home to a fascinating variety of independent businesses, reflecting the changing character of Steep Hill and the people who shopped here.
Here's a look at some of the names and businesses we've uncovered in our research:
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1744 – The Harlequin Inn: The wider site was associated with the Harlequin, originally built in 1170. A separate building was added during the 18th century, forming what is now No. 19.
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1820 – A separate property: No. 19 Steep Hill was recorded as having separated from the Harlequin.
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1857–1867 – Rebecca Allis: Antique furniture and second-hand clothes.
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1872 – James Anscombe: A marine store dealer.
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1894–1901 – T. Scarborough: A framemaker.
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1902 – Frank Brewer: A bookseller, listed across Nos. 18–21 Steep Hill.
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1913 – Ernest Ball: An antique and general dealer.
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1919 – William Hackney: A furniture and antiques dealer.
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1939 and 1946 – Frank Brewer: The bookshop appears again in records covering Nos. 18–21.
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1968 – Frank Brewer: Listed as a bookseller at Nos. 19–20.
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1984 – The Box Office Shop: Another chapter in the building's commercial life.
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1995 – Lapid Art: The beginning of our story here.
It's lovely to see how many different trades have occupied this space. From furniture and clothing to picture frames, books and antiques, the building has always been a place for people to browse, discover and take something home.
Steep Hill in 1984 - The Box Office 19-20 Steep Hill
The Next Chapter
We absolutely love being part of Lincoln's independent business community and calling historic Steep Hill our home. There's something special about running a business in a place with so much character, surrounded by buildings that each have their own stories to tell.
We see ourselves as the current guardians of 19–20 Steep Hill rather than simply the people who occupy it. The building has outlasted generations, businesses and fashions, and we hope to play our part in keeping its story going for many years to come.
Our dream is for Lapid Art to still be here in another 30 years, perhaps even being passed down to my own children one day.
So, next time you're browsing our crystals and fossils, have a look around at the walls, the different levels and all those little historic quirks. You might be standing in a spot where a Victorian antique dealer once served a customer, where books were sold a century ago, or where generations of Lincoln families have made memories.
We're proud to be part of the story of 19–20 Steep Hill and we can't wait to see what the next chapter brings.