City of Durham v. Wright

-The city of Durham claims to own the locus in quo■ — • a strip of land 34.4 feet in length and 35 inches (nearly 3 feet) in width, between the projections (or pilasters) of the sidewalks of the building. It has never paid any “just compensation” for it, but claims it (1) by dedication, (2) by prescription, (3) under statutory dedication or authority. We do not think the position of the city can be sustained.

In Shute v. Monroe, 187 N. C., p. 683, it was said: “The Anglo-Saxon holds no material thing dearer than the ownership of the land; his home is termed his ‘castle.’ Although there is…