William Ernest FEIGE
1905 - Feige Could Build on Main St. Sidewalk - Owns 11 Feet Beyond Lind - Adams Estate Also Lays Claim to Sidewalk. Might Build New Front On Block.

The recent sale of a small lot at the corner of Main and Ashland streets by William Burton to William Feige, as reported in this paper, brings to attention an important fact, which is that the lot projects into the street for 11 feet or more.

When Ashland street was extended last year from Summer street to Main street a large part of Mr. Burton's lot was taken by the city, but the little piece which has has now sold to Mr. Feige was left. When the city took the lot there was a brick block on it, in which Bateman's market was located, and this was torn down. It will be remembered that this block projected into the street some distance beyond all other buildings. When it was torn down many supposed the city had acquired the front of the lot and that there could be no more building out into the street, but this was not the case, and Mr. Feige's purchase gives him title to the land as far out as the block projected. It is therefore probable that when he develops the property he will utilize all of his land unless the city condemns the front end of the lot for street uses and pays him for it.

Another interesting fact is that the Adams estate, whose block adjoins Mr. Feige's property on the west, owns as far out into the street as Mr. Feige does, or 11 feet from the front of the block. The owners by utilizing this could build a modern front to the block and increase the depth of the stores, and this they might decide to do in case Mr. Feige should build to the front of his lot.

Some think that the space in front of the Adams block has been used for street purposes so long as to become public property but the owners of the estate do not think so. Space on the sidewalk has been occupied for hatchways leading to the cellar, and the owners are confident that if they saw fit they could build to the front line of the lot as originally laid out.

It is probable that there will be no such building. In the case of Mr. Feige the city will undoubtedly condemn and take the land if he plans to build further out that the other blocks on the street and if this is done it is not likely that the Adams estate would care to make any change as suggested above.

What Mr. Feige's plans are with reference to the development of his lot are not known, but it will be of interest to the people of the city to know that his deed gives him title to land as far out as the Burton block extended.

North Adams Transcript, North Adams, Massachusetts Jun 3, 1901

North Adams Transcript North Adams, Massachusetts August 31, 1905

Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, August 1, 1905

William Feige and daughter, Margaret
Thanks to Diane Balogh

Patent US 1365389 A Publication number US1365389 A Publication type Grant Publication date Jan 1

William Feige and grandson, Billy, 1940
Thanks to Diane Balogh

William Feige and grandson, Billy, 1940
Thanks to Diane Balogh

Photo taken by us