Mitchell's Corn Palace

Images of America: South Dakota

by Jan Cerney

The world's only Corn Palace began as "The Corn Belt Exposition" in 1892, a promotional enterprise established to showcase the rich agricultural region of the James Valley. The exposition became a popular annual event, and an icon of the American prairie. The Corn Palace has occupied three different buildings since 1892. Adorned each autumn with corn, grains, and native grasses in decorative patterns and themes, the Corn Palace has hosted famous entertainers, politicians, and community events. Now well into its second century and going strong, the Corn Palace has become a symbol of South Dakota. Mitchell's Corn Palace tells the unique story of the palace through a collection of over 200 fascinating vintage images, chronicling this unique piece of Americana.

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2004

Reviews

[Samuel Goldberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s largely just post cards of the palace with little in the way of historical context outside of what shows were there, making it a bit more niche than it could have been. The art and photographs are great, but I’d like more variety (it feels like 75% of them are the building from the exact same angle).

I do love how 90s one of the 90s cards is.