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.

In this episode we tell the story of the northern most small town in America

Angle Inlet, Minnesota

And the only way to drive to the small town? Through Canada.

Have you been to Angle Inlet? Drop a comment below - I'd love to hear about it.

#Minnesotasmalltown #angleinlet #midwestsmalltown

Telling the story of Spring Ranch - A Ghost Town in Nebraska - but one tied to some dark history in the American Great Plains.

#Springranch #NebraskaGhostTown #ghosttown

Set along the Mississippi River, Kaskaskia is one of the Midwest’s most fascinating forgotten towns — once the capital of Illinois Territory and now nearly isolated by shifting river channels and time. In this episode of Midwest Small Town, we explore the rich French colonial history, devastating floods, and resilient spirit of a community that today is home to only a handful of residents, yet holds an outsized place in Midwestern history.

The "Old Rugged Cross" might be one of the most popular and familiar hymn's written at the turn of the century.

But the unique history behind the story of the hymn - is that is deeply rooted in the Midwest - written by George Bennard, who grew the son of a coal minder in Ohio, and later Iowa - became a Christian at a Salvation Army event in Iowa, and later became a traveling preacher.

The story takes Bennard to Albion, Michigan - where he begins writing the famous hymn.

#Oldruggedcross #AlbionMichigan #MidwestSmalltown

Carnegie Libraries! Do you have one in your small town? Are you familiar with Carnegie Libraries?

A total of 2,509 Carnegie Libraries were built between 1883 and 1929 - with 1,689 built in the United States - and many of those right in the heart of Small Town America!

The history is rich - and we dive into Carnegie Libraries in this episode!

Drop a comment if you have one in your town - I'd love to hear about it.