Biggest ball of twine

This record-holding ball of twine sits in Darwin, Minnesota, and stands roughly 12 feet across. The sphere consists of agricultural string wound in thousands of layers over many years by a single person working at home.

A local farmer named Francis Johnson began winding the twine in 1950 as a personal project that consumed several hours of his daily routine. He continued until 1979, when declining health ended his three decades of patient work on the ball.

Residents treat the ball as a source of local pride and a reason to bring neighbors together each August for Twine Ball Day celebrations. The event brings farm families and visitors from nearby counties who join parades and games centered around this folk creation.

The sphere sits inside a glass shelter on Main Street, visible from all sides at any time. A small building next to it offers background on how the ball was made and includes photographs from different stages of construction.

Neighbors and local farmers donated leftover string so Johnson could keep adding to the ball as it grew larger. The increasing weight eventually forced him to use a railroad jack to rotate the mass while winding new layers and keeping the form round.

Location: Minnesota

GPS coordinates: 45.09633,-94.41028

Latest update: December 2, 2025 22:43