Stand on the tiniest, angriest piece of private property in the city.

In 1910, New York City condemned nearly 300 buildings to widen the streets and construct new subway lines. David Hess resisted eminent domain laws for years to keep his apartment building, but ultimately lost.

But he didn't lose everything. The city neglected to take a 500-square-inch triangle of concrete. When the city asked him to donate it for the public sidewalk, Hess refused.

On July 27, 1922, he had the triangle covered with mosaic tiles, displaying the statement, “Property of the Hess Estate Which Has Never Been Dedicated For Public Purposes.” Village Cigars bought the triangle in 1938 for $1,000, and it sits just outside the shop on the corner of Christopher and 7th Avenue.

Although the triangular mosaic is walked all over by pedestrians, it serves as a constant reminder that Hess was not easily conquered.