Visit the World's Only Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota

At first it is easy to ignore the billboards that begin popping up hundreds of miles from Mitchell. They don't really say much, just some simple phrases like "It's A-Maize-Ing!" and "See the World's Only Corn Palace." But, after the first dozen or so, you begin to wonder just what this Corn Palace is all about.

I had never heard of the Corn Palace, and - being an eco-minded kind of gal - I was thinking more along the lines of a building made from corn, something like a straw bale house or a sod dwelling, which is what initially piqued my interest. So, when I saw what ended up being a typical building with corn nailed onto roofing paper and on top of plywood, I was a bit disappointed, but the billboards hadn't promised an eco-friendly, corn-based structure.

The current Corn Palace is actually the third one to be constructed and was built in 1921. Its predecessors were built in 1892 and 1905. The original Corn Palace was a 100 x 66 foot structure made entirely of wood and located two blocks from the Corn Palace's current location. The second, measuring 125 x 142 feet and also made of wood, was constructed after the original building was outgrown. This second structure was built one block away from where the Corn Palace resides today.

After looking at historic photos of the two previous Corn Palaces, I wish I could have seen the first two, both of which had far more interesting (and more palace-like) architecture and donned elaborate designs that were more aesthetically pleasing, but lacked the murals that are so popular today.

The current Corn Palace acts as Mitchell, South Dakota's community multi-use facility and is the home court for area school basketball teams. Throughout the year there are stage performances and special events, and an annual Corn Palace Festival with rides, vendors and entertainment in August.

Each year a new theme is chosen and a local artist designs the murals to be placed when the corn matures. Retired fireman and local farmer, Dean Strand, grows the 3,000 bushels of grasses and grains and the 275,000 ears of corn to be used in the design, and has spent the past 25 years developing colorful strains of corn to be used.

Over 500,000 visitors come through Mitchell each year and whether you are heading west or east on I-90, Mitchell and the Corn Palace are a welcome break from the long drive. The Corn Palace isn't right off the interstate, but it isn't very far and is easy to find if you just follow the signs. I was there during the summer and was able to park in the lot adjacent to the palace, so it looks like parking is pretty convenient and easy to find.

There is a tour available, or you can check out the photo display in the lobby for more information on its history. The Corn Palace Gift Shop is right across the street and has just about anything corn-related that you can imagine. The Enchanted World Doll Museum is also right across the street and houses more than 4,800 dolls on display from all over the world. About one half block south of the palace, you can grab a coffee and some homemade treats at Jitters and check out some of the cute shops within walking distance.

While I didn't find the Corn Palace all that enticing, and found myself wondering how many families could be fed with 3,000 bushels of grain and 275,000 ears of corn, the Corn Palace was originally intended to fill a specific purpose and it has succeeded. The Corn Palace was designed to display the many crops that can be grown in South Dakota and to show that the soil is rich and fertile. Its original purpose was also to put Mitchell, South Dakota on the map. The palace has met and exceeded these goals and has allowed Mitchell to create a tourist economy around this focal point. Thus, creating jobs in the area and fostering a sense of community and pride.

As for tourists and travelers, you will likely be stopping in Mitchell for potty breaks, fueling up and grabbing a bite anyways, so it's worth checking out if only to be able to say you've seen it and to give props to the local farming community. It also offers an opportunity to teach the kids a thing or two about agriculture and there are lots of other attractions nearby, like the doll museum that I mentioned above, the Dakota Discovery Museum, or the Prehistoric Indian Village.