Thursday, May 29, 2014

The Merchant Ball - Marion Cemetery

Marion Cemetery, Marion Ohio

In Marion Cemetery there is somewhat of an unassuming marker. It's a sphere on a pedestal. While not common, spheres can be found in quite a few cemeteries. This one is a bit special.




The Merchant ball is said to rotate on it's own. Notice the light spot? It is said that is where the bottom of the ball was when it was set on the pedestal. The sphere weighs about 5200 pounds. It is said the ball moves 2 inches a year. The ball was featured in Ripley's Believe It Or Not in 1929.

More reading:
http://www.theavalonfoundation.org/docs/merchant.html
Weird Ohio

More family in the circle: