Current Date: 02 Feb, 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
Irena Sendler: woman who rescued Jews during holocaust

Irena Sendler: woman who rescued Jews during holocaust

Irene Sendler was the Zegota resistance group's head of the children's department. She risked her life to smuggle children out of the Warsaw ghetto, place them with Polish families or orphanages, give each child a new identity, and keep records so that they could be returned to their families. In 1943, the Gestapo arrested and sentenced her to death, but she was rescued by Zegota.

Keith Sapsford: The Story of 14-Year-Old Stowaway

Keith Sapsford: The Story of 14-Year-Old Stowaway

The final image of 14-year-old Australian Keith Sapsford, who aspired to travel the world. In February 1970, he sneaked into the wheel-well of a plane flying from Sydney to Tokyo. It opened mid-air & fell out. When a photographer was testing a new lens, he captured this moment on film and was surprised when it developed.

Did Gil Pérez Really Teleport from Manila to Mexico Overnight? The 1593 Mystery

Did Gil Pérez Really Teleport from Manila to Mexico Overnight? The 1593 Mystery

On October 24, 1593, while performing his guard duties at Manila's Governor's Palace in the Philippines, Gil Perez stopped to lean against a wall and sleep for a while. He opened his eyes to find himself in an unusual environment. Gil was in the Plaza Mayor in Mexico City. They imprisoned Perez, but the authorities in Mexico City decided to release him and return him home.

Before Radar: How Giant Acoustic Mirrors Detected Enemy Aircraft in WWI and WWII

Before Radar: How Giant Acoustic Mirrors Detected Enemy Aircraft in WWI and WWII

Long before radar revolutionized air defense, enormous acoustic mirrors and specialized sound locators stood as the first line of defense against enemy aircraft. Designed as giant “ears,” these structures amplified distant engine noises, allowing operators to detect incoming planes by sound alone. Dive into the intriguing world of these pioneering listening devices, their operation, limitations, and enduring legacy in military history.