In this episode of Midwest Small Town - Discover the story of the Kansas town that turned a simple piece of twine into a world-famous roadside attraction. From small-town determination to quirky Americana, learn how the largest ball of twine became a symbol of community pride, attracting curious travelers from across the country and proving that even the smallest towns can leave a big mark.

From the rich history of its beginning - from a French Aristocrat - to a future president of the United States...

This "Best Little Town in the West" has quite the story to tell.

What lurks beneath the murky waters of a Kansas sinkhole? In this episode, we dive into the enduring legend of Sinkhole Sam, the elusive cryptid said to inhabit a deep, flooded sinkhole near Inman, Kansas. Described as a massive, serpent-like creature stretching anywhere from 15 to over 30 feet long, Sinkhole Sam has fueled local folklore for decades with tales of strange sightings, unexplained movements in the water, and whispers of a monster that refuses to be forgotten.

We'll explore the origins of the legend, examine eyewitness accounts, separate fact from folklore, and discuss how a small Kansas town became home to one of America's lesser-known cryptids. Is Sinkhole Sam an undiscovered animal, a case of mistaken identity, or simply a story that has grown larger with each retelling? - or as one newspaper asked - is it a Ferpengurkle?

Midwest Small Town Folklore story --

The citation for Dewey's article -

Dewey, E. A. (1952, November 23). The Foopengerkle of the Big Sinkhole. The Salina Journal.