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Wichita Falls, Texas: World's Shortest Skyscraper

Only four stories tall, and skinny. The city was duped by a con man into paying for a skyscraper 480 inches high, rather than 480 feet. You can climb to the top; access is through the Artifact Emporium antique shop next door. "World's Littlest Skyscraper" sign out front.

Visitor Tips and News About World's Shortest Skyscraper

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Skyscraper.

World's Smallest Skyscraper

Smaller than expected. Cutest antique store next to it.

[Kelly And Drew, 04/20/2015]

In the world of Itty Bitty claims to fame, "smaller than expected" means better!

Smallest skyscraper.

World's Smallest Skyscraper

It's about to be on the Discovery Channel! So much smaller than you'd imagine.

[Ashley, 03/24/2014]

Yet not so small that the Discovery Channel couldn't eventually discover it!

Smallest skyscraper.

World's Smallest Skyscraper

Not only is this tiny skyscraper only 4 stories tall, but each story is only a fraction of the size of a true story level. This was part of the con. The plans were scaled in inches instead of feet. The result...a 4-story building only about 10-ft. X 16-ft.

[Carla, 07/03/2008]
World's Smallest Skyscraper

Built during the 1920's oil boom by a traveling con-man/promoter, the building is only four stories tall. No one noticed that all the plans, promotional literature, etc. had tiny decimal points in all the crucial figures. i.e. 4.0 stories was taken as 40 stories. The project was oversubscribed by quite a bit and the project built to completion, upon which the promoter skipped town.

The investors started trying to sue or arrest him when the swindle became evident during construction, but were unable to since the contract was followed to the letter. They did recover a few dollars from the elevator company (who refused to honor their contract after they discovered the decimal points). Unable to get the crook, the investors funded a team which followed him around the country breaking up any deals he tried to put together.

The city was going to tear the building down in the early '60s when I first saw it, but the wife of a wealthy Dallas buisinessman thought it too cute to tear down and talked him into buying it for her. It's still there and I check each time I'm in town just to see if it still exists.

[Bob Wedryk, 08/11/2001]

World's Shortest Skyscraper

Address:
La Salle Ave., Wichita Falls, TX
Directions:
Known as the McMahon Building, built of red brick and very skinny. Northeast side of downtown. At the corner of 7th and La Salle Sts, just south of the railroad tracks.
Phone:
940-766-0900
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Artificial Wichita FallsArtificial Wichita Falls, Wichita Falls, TX - < 1 mi.
Largest Shovel in TexasLargest Shovel in Texas, Wichita Falls, TX - 5 mi.
Dinosaur ParadeDinosaur Parade, Henrietta, TX - 19 mi.
In the region:
Mural: Boot vs. Rattlesnake, Nocona, TX - 45 mi.

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