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The Corn Palace

August 2001

The original Corn Palace, called "The Corn Belt Exposition" was established in 1892. Early settlers displayed the fruits of their harvest on the building exterior in order to prove the fertility of South Dakota soil. The third and present building was completed for it first festival at the present location in 1921. The exterior decorations are completely stripped down and new murals are created each year. The murals are designed by local artists, Oscar Howe having been one. New materials are applied to the building with each mural depicting an important facet of the lifestyle of South Dakota. These murals require thousands of bushels of corn, grain, grasses, wild oats, brome grass, blue grass, rye, straw and wheat each year.

The Corn Palace serves as a multi-use center for the community and region. The facility hosts stage shows, as well as sports events in its arena. The World's Only Corn Palace is an outstanding structure which stands as a tribute to the agricultural heritage of South Dakota.

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David and "Zack" in patio area
across the street from the Corn Palace.

Shot of the patio area and Corn Palace in background.

Better view of the front of the Corn Palace, Mitchell, SD.

Nancy and Zack's wife "Zeke" - which is cuter? lol.

Close up of one of the murals on the building all done in corn cobs of different colors.

Another shot of the front of the building.

Before and after of a duck picture done in corn cobs.

Here's the pattern (LR = light red, MR = medium red, etc.).

Here's the completed picture.

All the light posts in Mitchell had corn on them.

Each year they change the scenes on the building.

Another year's decorations. These began as geometric designs and worked into themes.

Sign explaining the bulding's use.

Picture during first Corn Palace construction.

Two pictures of the first Corn Palace.

The Corn Palace's Story.

Display of Dean Strand, palace's corn grower.

Right hand side of same display.

Decorating the Palace information.

Info about Dean Strand the corn grower.

David "Acting Corny" haha.

Some things for sale in the center court.

Cute little corn cob bird house tho out of focus.

Lots of buffalo represented.

"Popcorn on the Cob".

Lamb and Buffalo Sausage.

Bags of popping corn (lots of these!).

Buffalo Jerky anyone?.

A mural inside the building on the wall.

Picture of another year's decorations.

Look at the detail on the towers!.

Close up outside of design work.

Not too good picture of the birds (grey fuzzy pigeons) helping themselves.

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