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A sisal twine ball begun by farmer Frank Stoeber in 1953 and enlarged by visitors ever since, kept under a canopy in downtown Cawker City, Kansas. Published weights range from about 20,000 to over 27,000 pounds.
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World's Largest Ball of Twine
This pin marks the Big Thing itself. If stopping, choose a safe and legal place nearby.
Site-level location · 39.5109° N, 98.4342° W
FIELD GUIDE
The story
Cawker City's ball of twine is a world's-largest that keeps growing. Frank Stoeber started winding twine on his farm on 24 December 1953, according to the Kansas Sampler Foundation, and neighbouring farmers began bringing him theirs. By 1961, the Foundation says, the ball had grown so large it was moved into town and put under a shelter. Mental Floss reports that Stoeber's ball reached 11 feet across by then and that Guinness recognised it in 1973.
Stoeber died the following year, but the ball kept growing. Locals and visitors add twine each year, and the Cawker City Community Club's Twine-a-thon at the ball is held in August; the 2025 event was on 15 August, according to Discover Mitchell County. Kansas Living reported in 2023 that visitors could add pre-measured twine.
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PRACTICAL
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WHAT TO EXPECT
A large ball of sisal twine sheltered under a canopy in downtown Cawker City. Travel and Tour World (2025) describes it as open around the clock with no admission fee. Visitors have been able to add twine; the caretakers set the arrangements.
ACCESS
In downtown Cawker City, Kansas, on the south side of U.S. 24, under a canopy, according to the Kansas Sampler Foundation. Travel and Tour World (2025) describes it as open around the clock.
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