Reportedly the result of a fraudulent investment scheme by a confidence man, the Newby–McMahon Building was a source of great embarrassment to the city and its residents after its completion in 1919. Steep, narrow, internal stairways leading to the upper floors occupy roughly 25 percent of the interior area.

Its interior dimensions are approximately 12 ft (3.7 m) by 9 ft (2.7 m), or approximately 108 sq ft (10.0 m 2). It stands 40 ft (12 m) tall, and its exterior dimensions are 18 ft (5.5 m) deep and 10 ft (3.0 m) wide.

It is a late Neoclassical style red brick and cast stone structure. The Newby–McMahon Building, commonly referred to as the world's littlest skyscraper, is located at 701 La Salle (on the corner of Seventh and La Salle streets) in downtown Wichita Falls, Texas. Today one of Wichita Falls' most popular attractions, the tower is a registered historic landmark, and the 'World's Littlest Skyscraper' has become a local favourite.ĭo you have building trivia to share? Join the conversation in the Architrivia Tipline thread in our Forum.Depot Square Historic District (ID03001552) While McMahon slipped from town unscathed - taking the investors' money with him - the tower remained as a symbol of humiliation for the small town, when Wichita Falls' big-city aspirations had been dashed by a silver-tongued huckster. Newby-McMahon Building, image by Travis K. The blueprints clearly stated that the finished tower would stand at 480 inches, a detail that all but McMahon had failed to grasp. However, after review of the proposal and related contract, the judge ruled in favour of McMahon, finding that he had never once promised a building of 480 feet. Newby-McMahon Building, sunset silhouette, image by Flickr user Dan via Creative CommonsĪngered by the perceived swindling, the investors took McMahon to court, claiming that he had sold them on a proposal for a highrise of 480 feet, and had instead delivered a structure of a mere 40 feet, less than one tenth the size they had agreed to. Investors believed the tower would eventually rise to an impressive final height of 480 feet - thus positioning it as the tallest building in Wichita Falls - and quickly recognized the scam, as the diminutive four-storey tower would obviously be significantly shorter than advertised. The highrise addition was constructed while the owners of the attached Newby Building (1906) were away.

Newby-McMahon Building (1906) and 'skyscraper' addition (1919), image by Michael Barera via Wikimedia Commons McMahon was able to secure an upfront deposit of $200,000 ($2.8 million in 2017 dollars) before setting to work on the structure. McMahon, a proposal to build a highrise addition to the existing Newby Building was initially met with enthusiasm on behalf of local investors. Newby-McMahon Building, World's Littlest Skyscraper, image by Flickr user Dan via Creative Commons Ripley's Believe It or Not! once referred to the 40-foot-tall building as the 'World's Littlest Skyscraper,' and it is perhaps one of the most peculiar cases of small-town chicanery to come out of the early 20th century.

Instead of keeping it to ourselves, we're pleased to share our weekly Architrivia.Ĭompleted in 1919, the Newby-McMahon Building in Wichita Falls, Texas, has long been a sore spot for locals. In the course of our daily reporting, we often uncover unusual projects, places, or connections that don't make the final cut.

Smallest skyscraper