Did you ever hear of a triangle that sparked a battle of wills? Right here in Greenwich Village lies Ryan Triangle, a small patch of land that became a symbol of defiance. It all began in 1910 when the city condemned buildings along Seventh Avenue to make way for the subway. One building owner, David Hess, fought the demolition of his property. He lost the battle but surveyors missed a tiny triangular piece of his land. When the city asked Hess to donate it, he refused. Hess covered the triangle in mosaic tiles. The tiles proclaimed, “Property of the Hess Estate which has never been dedicated for public purposes”. Pedestrians walked over it. But the mosaic stood as a reminder of Hess’s resistance. In 1938, United Cigars bought the triangle. The triangle remains. A quirky piece of New York City history.
Gould Family Mausoleum
Ever heard of a “Robber Baron?” Here at Woodlawn Cemetery stands the Gould Family Mausoleum. It is a testament to