View of Wichita Falls from the top floor of the world's smallest skyscraper. -- Photo by Pat Bean
- The four-story, 80-foot tall skyscraper. — Photo by Pat Bean
“Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don’t.” Pete Seeger.
Travels With Maggie
After leaving Lake Arrowhead, I stopped in Wichita Falls to see the world’s smallest skyscraper. That’s right. I said smallest. Not everything is Texas-sized in the Lone Star State.
The mini-brick building was constructed in 1920 with $200,000 that eager investors poured into the proposed skyscraper after seeing its plans. Thinking more of future profits than the construction project, the backers failed to notice a major flaw. .
Those architectural plans, as presented to them by a Philadelphia scam artist, were drawn in inches instead of feet. The result was a four-story, 10-foot by 16-foot building one-twelfth the size expected. And the investors had no legal recourse because they had signed the plans.
Well, except they did get back the cost of the proposed elevator, which never was put in. The only original access to the top three floors was a ladder.
Someone later added rough wooden steps to the fourth floor, and I climbed them with permission of owners of the Artifact Emporium, which is now attached to the skyscraper. You can access the skyscraper through their store, and they say they get many visitors daily who do just that.
Looking out at the city from the top floor, I thought about all the times I had signed papers without thoroughly reading the fine print. I think I’ll be more careful about doing that in the future.
Pat, you find the most interesting things!
I grew up in Wichita Falls and have wondered for years if the world’s smallest skyscraper still was standing. Thanks for the memories, Pat!!
How interesting!
Yes, it’s always a good idea to read the fine print. Nothing like a physical manifestation of that reminder. 🙂
That is hilarious. Even better than the giant ball of string or the worlds largest frying pan.
How totally, hysterically, SAD. 😉 Thanks for the long view of my birthplace Pat! Is this the whole town, or just the historical district? ~ Lynda
Just a tiny section on the outskirts of the real downtown. The park is quite nice. I simply spent a morning exploring the city. I read about the littleist skyscrapper somewhere and just had to see for myself. I walked to the top floor, which didn’t leave me out of breath at all.