Hidden in plain sight, Heath Triangle is more than just a park. Heath Triangle in Bronx County New York is a testament to history. It sits at N40.86889 degrees W73.90750 degrees. At an elevation of 52 feet, Heath Triangle might seem unremarkable.
Did you know this small park appears on the USGS 1:24K topographic map? That map is named Central Park NY. Heath Triangle’s location makes it easy to spot.
Imagine the city expanding. New York City needed more space in the early 1900s. To widen Seventh Avenue, the city used eminent domain. This meant taking private property for public use. Hundreds of buildings were demolished in 1913. One property owner, David Hess, didn’t give up easily.
Hess owned an apartment building. It was called the Voorhis. The city wanted to build right where his building stood. Hess fought back but the city seized most of his land. However, surveyors made a mistake. They missed a tiny triangle of land.
Hess saw an opportunity. In 1922, he marked the triangle. He laid down a mosaic of tiles. The mosaic declared: “Property of the Hess Estate which has never been dedicated for public purpose.” It was a defiant message to the city. This tiny plot became known as Hess’s Triangle.
The Hess Triangle measures only 500 square inches. That’s about 24.5 inches along its base and 26.5 inches along its sides. Despite its size, it made a big statement.
Hess died before seeing his act of defiance completed. But his heirs carried on his wishes. They refused to donate the land to the city. In 1938, the family sold it. The buyer was the adjacent Village Cigars store. The price was just $100.
Later, Yeshiva University owned the property. In 1995, they sold it to 70 Christopher Realty Corporation. Today, the plaque remains intact. The current owners respect its history.
The Village Cigars shop and the Hess Triangle were for sale in 2021. The story continues.
Stand here for a moment. Look down at the mosaic. Think about David Hess. His small act of resistance still stands. Heath Triangle is a reminder. It shows how one person can challenge the city. Even the smallest piece of land can tell a big story. It is not actually Heath Triangle but Hess Triangle.