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The world’s littlest skyscraper

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By contributing writer Shannon Gillette
Texas! Texas is big. It is the land of big skies, big cowboy hats and big hair. It’s just big. Everything is bigger in Texas…or is it? Wichita Falls has the honor of being the home of the world’s littlest skyscraper. But skyscrapers are big; by definition they scrap the sky, so even if it is small for a skyscraper, it would still be big, right? Not in this case. This little giant only stands a whopping forty feet tall. This miniature wonder may not live up to the “Everything is bigger in Texas” theory, but the legend behind the tall tale surely does.
Discovery of oil in Wichita County caused Wichita Falls to go from a slow-moving cow town to a bustling metropolis almost overnight. In 1913, North Texas oil fields produced 46 percent of the oil in Texas. Refineries started popping up in town in 1915. With the additional discovery of oil in Burkburnett in 1918, the growth continued at an exceedingly rapid pace. Over 7500 barrels of oil were being produced each day. By 1920, Wichita Falls had nine oil refineries and almost fifty factories. The oil boom made hundreds of Wichita Falls citizens millionaires in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, with new-found wealth and money burning holes in pockets, the inevitable bad apple always turns up. This time, the scoundrel appeared in the form of a smooth talking conman named J. D. McMahon.
Buildings were going up at the speed of light, but could still not meet the demand; office space was at a premium. McMahon was an oil prospector from Philadelphia. He and seven other oil companies had their headquarters in a small one story building located near the railroad depot. The building they were occupying was built in 1906 by Augusta Newby. Even with construction crews working around the clock, there was a huge shortage of proper office space. So when McMahon approached several wealthy investors with a plan to erect a skyscraper as an annex to the Newby Building on La Salle Street, fists full of money were thrust at him for a chance at an office in a state of the art high-rise building. McMahon managed to raise $200,000 to build this highly anticipated building next to the thriving St. James Hotel. He presented detailed architectural plans which were signed off and approved.Construction began in 1919. To read more pick up the August 2014 issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch.

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Attractions

On the Road with Dave Alexander

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It’s already March and the smell of springtime parties and special events is in the air.
Everybody knows in order to have a great party, you’ve got to have the right music.
Well, that’s where my friend Katie Dieter comes to the rescue.

Katie, aka DJ KD “The Spinner,” has been spinning the right mix for parties and special events throughout North Texas for years now. Her passion for music helps to make your special event one your friends will never forget. Whether you’re planning a wedding, banquet, school event or just a backyard get-together with friends, DJ KD “The Spinner” is the right call for you.

To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

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Attractions

On the Road with Dave Alexander

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Seems lately these days Texas is becoming the envy of musicians from around the world.
With the overwhelming response to “Yellowstone,” the television series, Texas once again finds itself under the microscope of the world, much like the late 1980’s TV series know to all around the globe as “Dallas.”

With that said, the musician population in Texas is beginning to grow as many aspiring performers turn their sights on Texas instead of Nashville. Meet my newly-found friend and fellow musician Grace Partridge. This youthful 19 year old has recently made Texas her new home. She began fiddling at age four in Rigby, Idaho. Grace worked her way through the National Fiddle championships in Weiser, Idaho, becoming a five-time national champion. She’s even played on the Grand Ole Opry. Still yet, her desire to become a true Texas Fiddler has brought her to the Lone Star State. I’m pretty sure we can thank Bob Wills for that.

To read more, pick up a copy of the January 2024 issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

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On the Road with Dave Alexander

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On Nov. 4, 2023, the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra will present an evening of Texas Cowboy, Country and Western Swing with yours truly, Dave Alexander and the fabulous Quebe Sisters.

Enjoy the music of Bob Wills, Willie Nelson, Gene Autry and many more of your Texas Music favorites performed with a full symphony orchestra. We also will feature music from my latest CD, “From The Saddle To Symphony Hall,” along with some of my own compositions. It is guaranteed to be a night to remember.

To read more, pick up a copy of the October issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

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