Mitchell in Davison County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Corn Palace
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, October 27, 2018
1. The Corn Palace Marker
on the
NATIONAL REGISTER
OF
HISTORIC PLACES
By the United States Department
of the Interior
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Entertainment.
Location. 43° 42.876′ N, 98° 1.512′ W. Marker is in Mitchell, South Dakota, in Davison County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and 6th Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 604 North Main Street, Mitchell SD 57301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in East River and specifically in the James River Valley. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking
this page online
Regarding The Corn Palace. National Register Historic District Statement of Significance excerpt:
Mitchell, South Dakota, is a good example of a nineteenth century railroad town. Its growth and development are closely tied to the growth and development of railroads in South Dakota and across the nation. The town is a link in the chain of railroads that spanned the continent. Private homes, boarding houses and businesses grew up in Mitchell to accommodate the needs of railroad passengers and workers. In return the railroads provided shipping and transportation for farm products
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, October 27, 2018
2. The Corn Palace Marker
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The Corn Palace is redecorated each year with naturally colored corn and other grains and native grasses to make it “the agricultural show-place of the world”. We currently use 13 different colors or shades of corn to decorate the Corn Palace: red, brown, black, blue, white, orange, calico, yellow and now we have green corn! A different theme is chosen each year, and murals are designed to reflect that theme. Ear by ear the corn is nailed to the Corn Palace to create a scene. The decorating process usually starts in late May with the removal of the rye and dock. The corn murals are stripped at the end of August and the new ones are completed by the first of October.
Also see . . .
1. The World's Only Corn Palace History. (Submitted on November 2, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota.)
2. Mitchell Historic Commercial District National Register Nomination Form. The Corn Palace contributes to the District. (Submitted on September 24, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, October 27, 2018
3. The Corn Palace's Main Street Side (west)
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, October 27, 2018
4. The Corn Palace's 6th Ave. Side (south)
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, July 14, 2019
5. The Corn Palace
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 16, 2026
6. The Corn Palace (2026 Version)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 16, 2026
7. The Corn Palace (2026 Version) Detail
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 16, 2026
8. The Corn Palace (2026 Version) Flag Detail
Not quite "amber waves of grain"
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 16, 2026
9. The Corn Palace Accent Detail
Not just corn cobs
Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 321 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 2, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. 5. submitted on July 22, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on September 24, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
