World's Largest Twine Ball - Darwin, Minnesota
Posted by: 
msrubble
N 45° 05.782 W 094° 24.610
15T E 389043 N 4994622
World's largest ball of twine.
Waymark Code: WMKKP8
Location: Minnesota, United States
Date Posted: 04/27/2014
Views: 5
In the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest, this ball of twine was added on to by Minnesota carpenter Francis Johnson for 29 years, until it grew so large that it could only be handled with a block and tackle. For a time, the twine ball was displayed outdoors under a metal canopy at Johnson's home east of Darwin. After his death, the twine ball was moved to Darwin, where it is the centerpiece of a historical museum.
The twine ball is on display 24 hours a day, outdoors, in a wood and plexiglas gazebo. The Twine Ball Museum (free admission) has limited hours. There is a guestbook outside. Twine ball souvenirs can be also be purchased at the Blue Moose, across the street, when the museum is closed.
Weird Al Yankovic sang about a visit to this roadside attraction.
Vital Statistics:
- Number of builders: 1
- Years to build: 29
- Circumference: about 40 feet
- Height: 11 feet
- Weight: 17,400 pounds
The Darwin twine ball was ousted from the Guinness Book of Records in 1994, by a ball of twine in Cawker City, Kansas, which was started in 1953 by Frank Stoeber. The Kansas twine ball, while it has a bigger circumference, does not weigh as much as Darwin's claim to fame. Darwin's twine ball was a solo project; the Kansas twine ball is still being added to, by a large group of people. The Darwin ball of twine is still the largest created by a single person.