Mitchell Corn Palace, South Dakota

Across South Dakota on Interstate 90, about 5 hours from the Black Hills, lies the town of Mitchell. In this town, one of America's oldest tourist attractions continues to draw attention from passers by. The Mitchell Corn Palace was originally built in 1892 by settlers who wanted to show off the fertility of South Dakota's soil. The first structure was called "The Corn Belt Exposition". The present building location was first completed for a festival in 1921. Since then, Mitchell's Corn Palace has continued to evolve. It is an architectural delight for some, and interesting at the very least. Throughout the year, special events, showcases, theater and sports events make the Mitchell Corn Palace an even more exciting place to visit.

During the days, a marketplace full of corn related goods fills the palace walls. On the outside, visitors stand to admire the agricultural mural depicting life in South Dakota. Each year a new mural is created with thousands of bushels of corn, grain, grasses, wild oats, brome grass, blue grass, rye, straw and wheat. Famous and local artists, including Oscar Howe, have been involved in the design process of years past.

Other nearby attractions have been developed for the pleasure of tourists who are already in the area. Be sure to check out the enchanted world doll museum, the prehistoric Indian village and archeodome, and the Dakota discovery museum. All of these family friendly attractions are educational, interesting and fun!