Current Date: 10 Jun, 2026
{{entry.title}}

The Littlest Skyscraper: How J.D. McMahon’s 480-Inch Con Fooled Investors in 1919

In 1919, J.D. McMahon convinced investors to fund a 480-foot skyscraper, but he labeled the plans as 480 inches, building a 40-foot structure instead. After taking $200,000, he won in court since the plans matched what he built.

In the oil boom days of 1919 Wichita Falls, Texas, a bold con by J.D. McMahon gave the city one of its most bizarre landmarks: the Newby-McMahon Building, famously known as the “world’s littlest skyscraper.” This four-story, 40-foot-tall building became a monument to both investor gullibility and the power of fine print.

The Pitch: A Texas-Sized Skyscraper

As the oil rush transformed Wichita Falls into a bustling business hub, office space was in high demand. J.D. McMahon, a petroleum landman and structural engineer from Philadelphia, saw an opportunity. He pitched investors on a grand skyscraper project—an annex to the existing Newby Building—promising a towering 480-foot structure that would rival the tallest buildings in Texas and the world.

Investors, flush with oil money, eagerly bought in. McMahon raised $200,000 (worth over $3 million today) to fund the project, showing blueprints for a modern high-rise. But there was a crucial detail: the plans were labeled “480” with a double-prime symbol (″), denoting inches, not feet.

The Construction: Inches, Not Feet

When construction began, the reality quickly set in. Instead of a monumental skyscraper, workers erected a narrow, four-story tower just 40 feet tall—precisely 480 inches. The building was so small that it lacked an elevator or even stairs; ladders were needed to reach the upper floors. The structure was just 10 feet wide and 16 feet long, with about 118 square feet per floor.

The Fallout: A Legal Swindle

Enraged, the investors took McMahon to court, accusing him of fraud. But McMahon’s defense was airtight: the blueprints and all legal documents clearly specified 480 inches, not feet, and he had never verbally promised otherwise. The judge ruled in McMahon’s favor, and the investors’ signatures on the plans sealed their fate. McMahon promptly vanished from Wichita Falls, taking most of the $200,000 with him.

The only consolation for the investors was a partial refund from the elevator company, which canceled its contract after realizing the building’s true size.

A Building with a Legendary Legacy

The Newby-McMahon Building quickly became a source of embarrassment and local lore. It was featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not! as “the world’s littlest skyscraper” and remains a quirky tourist attraction to this day. Despite its odd origins, the building survived the Great Depression, fires, and multiple threats of demolition, thanks to local preservation efforts.

Fun Facts and Trivia

  • The building is only 40 feet tall, with four floors and no elevator or stairs—just ladders at first.
  • Investors lost almost all of their $200,000, equivalent to over $3 million today.
  • The scam was so clever that it held up in court: the plans said “480 inches,” and that’s exactly what was built.
  • The building is still standing in downtown Wichita Falls and is now a historic landmark and tourist attraction.
  • The Littlest Skyscraper was once featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not!.

Related Topic You Might Find Interesting:

Conclusion

The tale of the Newby-McMahon Building is a classic reminder to always read the fine print. J.D. McMahon’s audacious con left Wichita Falls with a unique piece of architectural history and a cautionary tale for investors everywhere. Today, the “world’s littlest skyscraper” stands as both a monument to Texas ambition—and a legendary example of the devil being in the details.

Similar Stories
Marion Stokes recorded 30 years of television

Marion Stokes recorded 30 years of television

Marion Stokes, a Philadelphia woman began taping whatever was on television in 1979 and didn’t stop until her death in 2012. The 71,000 VHS and Betamax tapes she made are the most complete collection preserving this era of TV. They are being digitized by the Internet Archive.

The Assassination Of King Alexander

The Assassination Of King Alexander

The assassination of King Alexander of Yugoslavia marked a pivotal moment in the country's history. This article delves into the rise and reign of King Alexander, exploring his early life and ascension to the throne. It also examines the political and social climate in interwar Yugoslavia, setting the stage for the tensions and challenges that ultimately culminated in his tragic assassination. By understanding the context in which this event unfolded, we can better grasp the significance and impact it had on the nation and its future.

What is the story behind Wrigley chewing gum?

What is the story behind Wrigley chewing gum?

Wrigley's was originally a soap company that gifted baking powder with their soap. The baking powder became more popular than the soap so they switched to selling baking powder with chewing gum as a gift. The gum became more popular than the baking powder so the company switched to selling gum.

Will & William Wests: The puzzling situation of two inmates who are identical but not related

Will & William Wests: The puzzling situation of two inmates who are identical but not related

These are the mugshots of Will West and William West, and they are not related. They were both sent to Leavenworth Prison at the same time, in 1903, and after some confusion, the staff understood they had two different prisoners with the nearly same name, who looked exactly alike. They are part of the reason fingerprints are now used as identification.

Robert Odlum, the first person to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge

Robert Odlum, the first person to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge

The first person to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge was a professional high diver who "wanted to demonstrate that people did not die simply by falling through the air, thus encouraging people to be willing to jump from a burning building into a net." He proved himself correct by safely falling 135 feet through the air and dying only when he hit the water.

Poto And Cabengo: The Secret Language Of Twins

Poto And Cabengo: The Secret Language Of Twins

Poto and Cabengo, as the two girls called each other, communicated in their own language. The twins were ignored by their parents and secluded from the outside world because their father felt they were developmentally retarded, and their unique language evolved as a result of that neglect.

Ancient Egyptians Had Pregnancy Tests Over 3500 Years Ago

Ancient Egyptians Had Pregnancy Tests Over 3500 Years Ago

The ancient Egyptians used a pregnancy test that involved potentially pregnant women peeing on barley and wheat seeds. Plant growth indicated pregnancy: barley for a boy and wheat for a girl. Later tests revealed that pregnant women's urine causes plant growth 70% of the time, whereas non-pregnant women's urine does not.