If you've lived through past winters in the city, you know the most valuable real estate sits where nobody lives, on the street, next to the curbs in front of homes.

That's right. People will use any household object to defend their precious parking spots.

Contentious? Competitive? Controversial? Sure. It's certainly one of the most debated topics for anyone who lives -- or drives -- in Boston.

Check out these objects used in the past to stake out parking claims.