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World’s Largest Ball of Sisal Twine: world record in Cawker City, Kansas

Jun 24, 2023
World’s Largest Ball of Twine: world record in Cawker City, Kansas

Cawker City, Kansas, United States--The giant ball of twine located in Cawker City, Kansas, started by Frank Stoeber, now have the Cawker City Community Club as the official owner/caretaker; at 17,320 lbs, 40 foot circumference, and over 7,938,709 of sisal twine, it sets the world record for being the World’s Largest Ball of Sisal Twine, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

World’s Largest Ball of Twine: world record in Cawker City, Kansas

"There are multiple claims to the world's biggest ball of twine record, all within the United States. The ball of twine with the largest circumference is located in Cawker City, Kansas, measured at 8.06 feet (2.46 m) in diameter and 10.83 feet (3.30 m) in height

"In Cawker City, Kansas, Frank Stoeber created a ball that had 1.6 million feet (490,000 m) of twine and 11-foot-diameter (3.4 m) when he died in 1974. Cawker City built an open-air gazebo over Stoeber's ball where every August a "Twine-a-thon" is held and more twine is added to the ball.


"By 2006, the twine ball had reached 17,886 pounds (8,111 kg, 8.9 US tons), a circumference of 40 feet (12 m), and a length of 7,801,766 feet (2,377.978 km; 1,477.6072 mi). In 2013, its weight was estimated at 19,973 pounds. In August 2014, the ball measures 41.42 feet (12.62 m) in circumference, 8.06 feet (2.46 m) in diameter and 10.83 feet (3.30 m) in height, and is still growing." (Wikipedia)

World’s Largest Ball of Twine: world record in Cawker City, Kansas

"Frank Stoeber started the World's Largest Ball of Twine in 1953. In just 4 years the giant ball of twine weighed 5,000 pounds and stood 8 feet high. Stoeber gave the ball of twine to Cawker City, Kansas in 1961. Many of the businesses on Cawker City's short main street have paintings containing the giant ball of twine in their windows. A twine stripe painted on the sidewalks leads from the World's Largest Ball of Twine to the pictures," the official website says..


"Each August a twine-a-thon is held and additional twine is added by the residents of the community and visitors - this is your chance to be part of one of the World's Largest Things. The Cawker City web page about the twine-a-thon hasn't been updated in a couple of years, but the event includes a horseshoe pitching contest, car show, food, and (of course) adding twine to the world's largest ball.


"You can arrange to add twine to the World's Largest Ball Twine at other times. Call 785 781-4470 or 781-4713 or email clover@nckcn.com. If you haven't made advance arrangements, try stopping at the Almost Done Inn and ask Lottie Herod for some twine. She is the nice little lady who has designed most of the Ball of Twine related souvenirs. When I stopped there, she measured off about 20 yards of twine and I returned to the ball. They will even add the length of your twine to the official total. As of September 2013, the Giant Ball weighted 19,873 pounds. In 2023 it weights over 27,00o pounds."

World’s Largest Ball of Twine: world record in Cawker City, Kansas

"On Christmas Eve, 1953, Kansas farmer Frank Stoeber got tired of all the old twine littering the floor of his barn. The way to get rid of twine on a farm was to sweep it up, haul it outside, and burn it -- but that was a lot of work and Frank was 62 years old. So he began rolling it into a ball. Three years later, the ball was seven feet high and weighed two tons," the Roadside America says.


"t first, not even the Stoeber family knew about the ball in the barn. But Frank's neighbors did. Facing the same disposal problem as Frank, they brought their twine to him and he added it to his ball. Frank carefully recorded the ball's size, weighed it regularly, and kept a notebook naming every person who gave him twine. Linda Clover, current caretaker of the ball, has a copy of the notebook. When asked, she can tell the children and grandchildren of Cawker City's farmers if some of their family twine is buried deep inside Frank's ball.


"Proud of his accomplishment -- and running out of room in his barn -- Frank hauled the ball into town to be part of the 1961 Cawker City Centennial Parade. It was such a popular attraction that a year later it was placed on a concrete slab next to U.S. Highway 24. It's been there ever since, under a series of ever-larger and sturdier outdoor shelters. Linda, who's lived in Cawker City since the mid-1960s, remembers Frank as an old man coming into town, adding twine to his ball. "He did it until he couldn't."

World’s Largest Ball of Twine: world record in Cawker City, Kansas

"Mention Kansas and one of the first things anyone will talk about is the Ball of Twine. People may give a chuckle when the Ball of Twine is mentioned, but curiosity gets them best of them and they to go see it," the Kansas Sampler Foundation says.


"The Ball of Twine is also part of the most highly debated topic in the arena of the world's largest things. Which town does have the world's largest ball of twine? Cawker City Kansas wins the debate if you're looking for the World's Largest Ball of Sisal Twine still growing!


"When visitors stop at the Ball of Twine and are noticed by twine ball caretaker, Linda Clover, she zooms over in her car and asks them if they, too, want to add to the Ball of Twine! Smiles broaden as she opens her trunk and pulls out some twine, carefully records the amount, and then helps the delighted visitor become part of history!"

World’s Largest Ball of Twine: world record in Cawker City, Kansas

"At 17,320 lbs, 40 foot circumference, and over 7,938,709 of sisal twine, the Cawker City Community Club is the official owner/caretaker of the ball of twine," the Kansas Tourism says.


"Each year a twine-a-thon is held in conjunction with the annual Cawker City picnic and parade, so the ball never stops growing. Frank Stoeber started the twine ball in 1953 on his farm and by 1957 it weighed about 5,000 lbs."

World’s Largest Ball of Twine: world record in Cawker City, Kansas

"Frank Stoeber started the World's Largest Ball of Twine in 1953. Stoeber gave the ball of twine to Cawker City, Kansas in 1961," the Road Trippers says.


"This impressive ball of twine weighs over 20,000 pounds and measures more than 40 feet in circumference. It was created over several decades by the residents of Cawker City, who donated their own twine to add to the ball. Visitors can add their own twine to the ball, take pictures, and marvel at the sheer size of this quirky roadside attraction."

World’s Largest Ball of Twine: world record in Cawker City, Kansas

"This roadside attraction started as a personal project, and eventually grew to a community and state-wide project that anyone can participate in. Have you seen this amazing spot in Kansas before? Add it to your bucket list, and plan your next road trip!" the Only In Your State says.


"This giant ball of twine all started on December 24, 1953 when a man named Frank Stoeber started winding sisal twine into a ball. It kept growing, and soon, neighbors were bringing twine to him to add to his ever-growing ball. After he passed, it was moved to this location in town, and has been a local sensation ever since. On the third weekend of every August, the annual Twine-a-thon is celebrated, with the town gathering to officially add more twine to the still-growing ball.


"Currently, the ball is estimated at almost 20,000 pounds, and is 43 feet around. It's still growing, too! Around 1,500 miles of twine makes up this giant monument to this community. I can't imagine how large it will be in 10 years, if we keep visiting."

World’s Largest Ball of Twine: world record in Cawker City, Kansas

"This twine ball isn’t just huge – it’s continually growing. No better way to ensure that it maintains the title of the World’s Largest, of course," the Atlas Obscura says.


"Every August, Cawker city holds the annual twine-a-thon. This is a chance to add your contribution to the world’s largest ball of twine.


"Frank Stober started the ball of twine in 1953. In Just 4 years the ball weighed 5000 lbs and stood eight feet tall. There is not much in Cawker City but the local businesses get in the spirit with twine-themed artworks in the windows and a painted twine stripe on the sidewalk."

World’s Largest Ball of Twine: world record in Cawker City, Kansas

Reviews from TripAdvisor

"You HAVE to do this just for the sheer kitschness of it. We brought along some of our own twine in case the local stores were closed (they were). The ball of twine is now a little larger because of us."

"Fun roadside attraction. Hop out and read the history of the ball of twine. it's kitschy and silly and fun! Make your teens roll their eyes when you make them stand in front for their picture!!"

" It was my whole reason for choosing Kansas as a vacation spot. I was not disappointed! It was huge and beautiful. I love that they have the story of it in the pavilion. Added bonus, they gave me my own piece of official twine to add to the ball so I got to be a part of history!"

"This is one of those attractions where the name captures the experience perfectly. It is the world's largest ball of twine. There is a gift shop nearby where they give you a length of twine to add to the ball, and you can also pick up some other interesting things (I got a coffee mug a picture frame). The kids weren't thrilled at the time, but later they appreciated having been."

"A popular stop; Here it was a weekday and even that early in the morning there had been 6 visitors from various states there before us."

World’s Largest Ball of Twine: world record in Cawker City, Kansas

World’s Largest Ball of Sisal Twine: Cawker City, Kansas


Address: Wisconsin St., Cawker City, KS

Directions: On the south side of Wisconsin St./Hwy 24, a half-block west of Lake Drive.

Coordinates: 39.5125, -98.4337

Facebook: Ball of Twine

Hours: Lit at night. (Call to verify).

Phone: 785-781-447

website: World's Largest Ball of Twine

World’s Largest Ball of Twine: world record in Cawker City, Kansas

Photos: World’s Largest Ball of Sisal Twine: world record in Cawker City, Kansas

(1-8) Kansas Travel

(9) WCCO - CBS Minnesota

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