You’re driving through the flat, open stretches of Meeker County, Minnesota, maybe humming a certain "Weird Al" Yankovic tune, when you see it. It’s not a skyscraper. It’s not a natural wonder. It’s a 17,400-pound testament to what happens when a human being simply refuses to stop doing one thing for nearly thirty years.
The biggest ball of twine in Minnesota isn't just a roadside attraction. Honestly, it’s a monument to the kind of stubborn, quiet dedication that defines a specific era of the American Midwest. Located in the tiny town of Darwin—population roughly 350—this massive sphere of sisal is protected by a glass-walled gazebo, sitting right there on Main Street for everyone to marvel at.
The Man Behind the Twine: Francis A. Johnson
Most people think these giant roadside things are built by committees or marketing firms to drum up tourism. Not this one. This was a solo mission.
Francis A. Johnson started this whole thing in March 1950. It was a cold, snowy day, and for some reason that remains known only to him, he decided to start wrapping used baler twine. He didn't just do it on weekends. He wrapped for four hours every single day for decades. Can you imagine that? Four hours. Every day. For 29 years.
He worked on it in his basement at first, then moved it to a round open-air shed on his lawn as it grew. Because the thing was getting so heavy, he actually had to use a railroad jack to rotate it so he could keep the shape perfectly spherical. He was a carpenter by trade, a man who liked things precise. If you look at it closely through the glass today, the symmetry is actually kind of haunting.
Francis stopped in 1979. Some say the "twine dust" eventually got to his lungs—he died of emphysema in 1989. After he passed, the town moved the ball from his farm to its current spot in downtown Darwin. It took a crane to move it.
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By the Numbers: How Big is "Big"?
Let’s get the stats out of the way because they’re honestly ridiculous.
- Weight: 17,400 pounds (that’s 8.7 tons).
- Diameter: 12 feet.
- Circumference: Roughly 40 feet.
- Time spent: 29 years of active wrapping.
It’s heavy. It’s dense. And unlike some of its rivals, it is "finished."
The Great Twine War: Darwin vs. Cawker City
Okay, here’s where things get spicy. If you Google "world's largest ball of twine," you’re going to find a few contenders. Specifically, there is a massive rivalry between Darwin, Minnesota, and Cawker City, Kansas.
Kinda like a sports rivalry, but with more rope.
The Cawker City ball is technically larger in circumference now. But there’s a massive asterisk there. The Kansas ball is a "community" project. Visitors are encouraged to add their own twine to it every year during their "Twine-a-thon." Darwin purists (and the late Francis Johnson’s family) argue that this is basically cheating.
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In Darwin, the rule is simple: Francis made it. No one else touches it. No one adds to it. It is the World’s Largest Ball of Twine Rolled by One Man.
There are others, too. Branson, Missouri, has a massive one made of nylon (which many consider a "fake" material in the twine world), and there’s a ball in Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin, that claims to be the heaviest. But Darwin holds the title for the OG, single-creator masterpiece.
That "Weird Al" Song
You can't talk about this place without mentioning "Weird Al" Yankovic. His 1989 song, "The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota," turned this town into a pilgrimage site for fans of the bizarre.
What’s wild is that Al hadn't even visited the ball when he wrote the song. He based the lyrics on a road trip map and the sheer legendary status of the attraction. He eventually made it there years later, and today, there’s even a "Weird Alley" in town to honor him.
The song describes a family road trip to see the ball, eating "pickled wieners" and buying postcards. Honestly, the vibe hasn't changed much since the 80s. People still show up with their cameras, singing the lyrics, looking for that same sense of kitschy Americana.
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Visiting Darwin Today
If you’re planning a trip, keep in mind that Darwin is small. Real small. You aren't going to find a sprawling theme park here.
The ball is housed in its gazebo 24/7, so you can see it even if you roll into town at 3:00 AM. However, if you want the full experience, you should visit the Darwin Twine Ball Museum located right next to it. It’s volunteer-run, so the hours can be a bit hit-or-miss, but usually, it’s open during the summer months (Memorial Day through Labor Day).
Inside, you can see Francis’s tools—including some pliers he hand-carved himself—and buy the mandatory "I saw the ball" t-shirt.
Twine Ball Days
If you want to see the town at its peak, show up on the second Saturday in August. That’s Twine Ball Day. They have a parade, a 5K (the "Twine K," naturally), and plenty of food. It’s a classic small-town festival where the guest of honor is a massive pile of string.
Is it Worth the Drive?
Look, if you’re looking for high-octane thrills, this isn't it. But if you appreciate the weird, the obsessive, and the remarkably human, then yeah, it’s worth it.
There is something strangely moving about standing in front of a 13-foot-tall sphere and realizing it represents 29 years of one man’s life. It’s a reminder that greatness doesn't always have to be "important." Sometimes, greatness is just staying committed to a project, one wrap at a time, until you’ve built something the world can’t ignore.
What to do next:
- Check the weather: Central Minnesota can be brutal in winter; late spring through early fall is the best time for a road trip.
- Bring cash: The museum is free, but they survive on donations and gift shop sales.
- Map your route: Darwin is about 65 miles west of Minneapolis on Highway 12. It’s an easy day trip if you’re staying in the Twin Cities.
- Listen to the song: Queue up the "Weird Al" track as you cross the Meeker County line. It’s practically mandatory.