We were passing close to Darwin, MN and detoured to see “The Largest Ball of Twine Made by One Man.” There is a reason for those quotation marks that we address below.

The twine ball was created by Francis A. Johnson (1904-1989). He lived his entire life in Meeker county and worked as a self-employed carpenter.

Frances started wrapping the ball of twine in March of 1950. He started by wrapping the twine around his fingers but it soon grew too large for his hands. Twenty-nine years later, the ball weighs 8.7 tons, is 11 feet high and has a circumference of 40 feet. It is currently housed in a Gazebo located outside the Twine Ball Museum in Darwin.

The twine ball was recorded in the Guiness Book of Records as the largest ball of twine and remained there until 1994. It was replaced by a ball of plastic twine constructed by several people. To the town’s knowledge, this is still “The Largest Ball of Twine Made by One Man.”

Weird Al Yankovic visited the ball of twine and recorded this song in its honor.

To honor Al for the visit and song they renamed the adjacent alley.

Minnesota has numerous Roadside Attractions, and we have more to share, so please stop back in a few days.