The Cardiff Giant

Perhaps the most famous hoax in United States history, the giant was a 10-foot tall stone carved statue uncovered on October 16, 1869, by workers digging a well behind the barn of William C. "Stub" Newell in Cardiff, New York. Newell set up a tent over the giant and charged 25 cents for people who wanted to see it. Two days later he increased the price to 50 cents.