Monday, June 28, 2010

World's Only Corn Palace

Mitchell, SD - I can't believe I've never been here before! The first Corn Palace was built in 1892. The corn murals and the grasses are redone every year. The 2010 theme is "Through the Ages," depicting various modes of transportation and travel.


Over a half million ears of twelve different kinds of corn are used to do the murals. The ears are cut in half lengthwise and the ends are trimmed off, then nailed to the building.


In early summer, the old grasses and grains are removed.


Then 3,000 bushels of milo, rye, oat heads, and sour dock are tied in bundles and attached.


The corn murals are redone in late summer when the corn crop is ready.


Inside is a full size basketball court, surrounded by other murals. The inside murals are redone every 10 years. When basketball is not in season, the floor is a gigantic corn gift shop.


All kinds of great corn gifts, including my favorite - Christmas ornaments.


There's also corn bird feeders -


Corn candles and candle holders -


Corn hats for an Iowa boy -


And corn-shaped caramel popcorn.


And if you're still hungry, you can go to the Corn-cession stand!

8 comments:

  1. How corny!! = ) I've always wanted to visit there. Thanks for the tour.

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  2. Started following you blog a little while ago. We are enjoying it and look forward to heading out that way sometime.

    The Corn Palace murals are totally a"maze"ing.

    Kevin and Ruth
    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  3. That was so "corny" you could husk it!

    Visited the Palace several times and enjoyed the little shops accross the street. The bonnie bride loved all the Black Hills Gold Jewelry, too.

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  4. Now that is a cool place.

    Kind of Corny hehehehe

    Dan (Bubbadan)

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  5. My dear young lady - You have been to the corn palace before. We stopped there on the trip west when you and Barbara slept in the tent on top of the camper. you should remember that!

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  6. I visited the corn palace in 1998--Im gald to see its still there! I was watching a video I made of that trip and there was the corn palace!! We didnt go inside tho, so that is really amazing that there are so many products made with CORN and with a corn theme!! Great Photos!!
    Safe travels today-

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  7. I have never heard of that place but that sounds really cool, Im surprised there are not pesky bugs and such hanging around all that corn, I loved the corn bird feeder I would like one of those, thanks so much for sharing :o)

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  8. OMG! A comment from our father! Don't feel bad - I thought I had never been there before Ron and I went two years ago. Wouldn't you think we would remember something that amazing?!? Next to the Enchanted Highway, it's my very favorite roadside attraction.

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