The Step-down Inn, Douglas, Isle of Man, 1897 (b/w photo)

On the back of this photograph John James Frowde writes, "The 'Step-down' Inn, a very old house. The floor was about 15 to 18 inches below the roadway. Hence the 'step-down'. It was said to have been a kind of Post Office early on, and I think was filmed as such for a film version of one of Hall Caine's novels. Folk from the Lonan and Onchan areas coming into Douglas are said to have crossed the sands in earlier times barefoot, passed up Lewthwaite's Slip (only at low water, one would think) up Stowell's Lane, into New Bond Street and dropped (literally) into the old 'Step-down' Inn - recently demolished - to restore themselves to their personal comforts: boots and stockings (if they wore such), certainly, - and 'jough wis pappar on it' possibly, - even probably. 16.02.32, Mona's Herald. Own Plate Col. See also SIII/7."