Newby-McMahon BuildingAbout Newby-McMahon Building
The Newby-McMahon Building is a very small commercial building in downtown Wichita Falls, Texas, widely known as the “World’s Littlest Skyscraper.” It dates to the early 20th century and is famous because its construction followed a widely publicized building fraud.
The main attraction is the building’s unusually small scale compared with surrounding commercial blocks, which makes it a novelty and frequent subject for photographs. The compact exterior and signage are the primary points of interest; there is limited interior access.
The structure was erected after a notorious early 20th-century real-estate fraud in which investors expected a much larger office building; the small completed structure gave rise to the building’s popular nickname. It has since remained as an eccentric downtown landmark.
It stands in the historic commercial district of Wichita Falls, Texas, amid other early 20th-century downtown buildings.
- Nickname: Known locally as the “World’s Littlest Skyscraper,” it is a popular quick photo stop in downtown Wichita Falls.
Best Time to Visit Newby-McMahon Building
Downtown Wichita Falls is straightforward year-round; spring and fall are most comfortable for strolling.
Weather & Climate near Newby-McMahon Building
Newby-McMahon Building's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 36°C. Moderate rainfall (750 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | -2° - 12° | 1° | 28 mm | some cloud | 66% | 4.4 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.1h |
| February | Good | 1° - 15° | 5° | 39 mm | partly cloudy | 65% | 4.7 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Very Good | 5° - 20° | 13° | 53 mm | partly cloudy | 63% | 5.2 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 10° - 25° | 17° | 75 mm | some cloud | 60% | 5.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.9h |
| May | Excellent | 15° - 29° | 22° | 106 mm | some cloud | 63% | 4.8 m/s | 2.0 very high | 13.8h |
| June | Very Good | 20° - 33° | 27° | 89 mm | mostly sunny | 60% | 4.6 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.2h |
| July | Excellent | 22° - 36° | 31° | 46 mm | mostly sunny | 55% | 4.1 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.0h |
| August | Excellent | 22° - 36° | 30° | 62 mm | mostly sunny | 54% | 3.7 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.2h |
| September | Excellent | 18° - 31° | 25° | 102 mm | mostly sunny | 60% | 3.9 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.3h |
| October | Excellent | 11° - 26° | 19° | 72 mm | mostly sunny | 61% | 4.2 m/s | 1.1 high | 11.2h |
| November | Very Good | 5° - 18° | 12° | 41 mm | some cloud | 64% | 4.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.3h |
| December | Good | 0° - 13° | 4° | 37 mm | some cloud | 67% | 4.3 m/s | 0.5 low | 9.8h |
How to Get to Newby-McMahon Building
Located in downtown Wichita Falls at the corner of 9th and Lamar Streets. From US-287 follow signs into downtown; on-street parking and small public lots are available. The building is a short walk from the Wichita Falls Transit downtown stops.
Tips for Visiting Newby-McMahon Building
- The best photographs are taken from the opposite corner of the intersection on a clear day to capture the full scale of the joke.
- Read the historical plaque on the sidewalk - it tells the con in a few hilarious lines and is worth the minutes it takes to find.
- Visit during daylight; the novelty is exterior-only so one wants good light to appreciate the narrow façade and small windows.