The Corn Palace In Mitchell, SD
While traveling down I-90 in South Dakota you come across the small town of Mitchell. There’s not much in Mitchell, SD but it’s probably been on your traveling radar. Why might I ask?
Well, in Mitchell, SD is the world’s only Corn Palace.
Yup…I said Corn Palace.
The first Corn Palace in Mitchell was actually built in 1892 by the towns elders.
They were trying to find a unique way to showcase the rich soil in Mitchell and draw attention to this tiny town. I think they succeeded since it’s over 100 years later and people, over 500,000 a year, are still flocking there.
Today’s Corn Palace is an event hall where concerts, expositions and such are held. But what sets this apart from any other event hall is the corn that adorns the building.
You see, every year a committee gets together and decides on a theme for the Corn Palace and the artist, usually local, is chosen. The artist has several months to design the outside of the palace before the actual corn is ready to be placed.
A local farmer raises all the corn needed. That is 12 different varieties of corn along with native grasses, straw, milo and sourdock. Then the daunting task of placing all that corn and such on the outside of the building for all to see starts.
Some Of The Murals That Adorn The Outside Of The Corn Palace
When we went inside we saw that they were set up for a game for the local high school basketball team.
The Mitchell Kernels that is and the local AM radio station call letters are KORN.
They certainly have a sense of humor out here in Mitchell. I guess you would have to if your biggest draw to town is a Corn Palace.
Some Of The Murals That Adorn The Outside Of The Corn Palace
It’s a never ending process and constantly changing as old corn goes down and new corn goes up. It costs over $130,000 annually to decorate the palace.
And don’t think the inside is spared. Oh no. They decorate the inside too with murals of corn.
The Inside Of The Corn Palace Is Decorated Too.
