The “World’s Littlest Skyscraper” Can Be Found In Texas

Not everything is bigger in Texas. Of course most things are. We are a big state that likes big trucks, big homes, and big football stadiums for our big Friday, Saturday, and Sunday entertainment.

But when it comes to our skylines, Texas doesn't actually have the biggest or tallest building in America. But, if you are looking for the littlest skyscraper in the world, you are in luck because it is located right here in the Lone Star State.

The "World's Littlest Skyscrapper"

Located in Downtown Wichita Falls is the Newby-McMahon Building. It's also better known as the The World's Littlest Skyscraper. The tiny tower sits at the corner of 7th and La Salle in downtown. According to KTLA, the tower is just 40 feet tall and was built in 1919. And at one time, the building was considered an "embarrassment".

According to KTLA, the little skyscraper is the result of scandal. The story goes that in 1918 Wichita Falls was experiencing a boom and rapid expansion due to the discovery of oil in Burkburnett. More space was needed and according to KTLA, J.D. McMahon of Amarillo came up with the idea to bring a modern skyscraper to Wichita Falls. On paper the building was supposed to by 480 feet high, which at the time would have made it the tallest building in Texas. The project was going to cost money of course so McMahon raised over $200,000 for the project. According to KTLA, construction didn't take long and soon McMahon had left the city. An out of town investor in the project called for months wanting to know about the giant skyscraper.

The investor was looking for a building 40 stories tall, but that building didn't exist.

Official documents said the investor was adamant that the structure was in the heart of Downtown Wichita Falls, at 701 La Salle St. “I even saw a sketch of the city skyline and this building was right there, prominently featured, very impressive,” the investor said.

Eventually, the man who spoke with the agitated investor found a four-story, skinny building on La Salle Street. The man measured the building and then “burst out laughing,” according to Wichita Falls records.

What the man discovered was that McMahon’s state-of-the-art skyscraper was indeed this skinny, four-floor building, built exactly as promised, except not to the square foot — but rather the square inch.

There was no 480 foot tall building in Wichita Falls. Instead there was a building that was 40 feet tall, also known as 480 inches tall.

If you are wondering, the four floors aren't very big. They measure about 9 feet wide by 12 feet long.

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And while the building may have started as a scandal, it's now a famous landmark and known as the "World's Littlest Skyscraper".