The first building in Cawker City was erected in the early 1870’s. Mills, banks, churches, an opera house and a city auditorium followed shortly thereafter. Although the city had train service shortly after its beginning; passenger trains no longer come to town. Who would think that with this beginning the town is now known in some parts as the city with the World’s Largest Ball of Sisal Twine. Each year a twine-a-thon is held in conjunction with the annual Cawker City picnic cook-off and parade on the third Saturday in August. The twine winding is held the Friday before so the ball never stops growing.