Photo: A Tiny Monument to Eminent Domain Resistance in New York City

The roughly 25-inch plot has a mosaic reading, "Property of the Hess estate which has never been dedicated for public purposes."

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The Hess Triangle is the result of an eminent domain fight that began in 1910, when New York City seized and demolished a Greenwich Village apartment building owned by the Hess family. The city had forgotten this roughly 25-inch plot on the edge of the property—until 1921, when officials demanded that the Hess estate pay back taxes on the land. The Hess family refused to give the plot to the city, and in 1922 it instead installed a sidewalk mosaic reading "Property of the Hess estate which has never been dedicated for public purposes."

Comments

[Chumby]

By providing the mosaic, isn’t that essentially serving a public purpose? (A kitschy travel destination peculiarity)

[TJJ2000]

This should've been combined with the police telling Davies to take down their "no theft" sign article.

An essential part of keeping a civilized Government is asking.
Is government there to STEAL things for you?
...or is it suppose to be defending Liberty and ensuring Justice?

Because frankly; there are far too many who believe Government should be their own personal Al'Capone leader.

[Mickey Rat]

"Property of the Hess estate which has never been dedicated for public purposes."

Which exists in the middle of a public sidewalk, so the lack of public purpose is in name only.

[TJJ2000]

Having a named owner that isn't Government is a big step in the right direction. No matter if said owner (having a choice) allows public access or not.

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

The city had forgotten this roughly 25-inch plot on the edge of the property

Bureaucracy at its best !