Mitchell, South Dakota, is basically a nothing town. (Sorry, Mitchellites!) At one time, it was considered for South Dakota's capital. Alas, that honor went to Pierre. But it does have one distinguishing attraction: The Corn Palace.
Each year, 275,000 ears of corn are used to redecorate the exterior. That's right: corn. Locally-grown naturally-colored field corn, to be exact. A theme is chosen each year, murals are drawn on the tar paper like a paint-by-number, and the ears of corn get nailed into place.
This year's theme: American Pride.
This building is actually the third Corn Palace. Previous incarnations were too small to accommodate the annual Corn Festival.
Today, the building is mainly used for high school basketball games. Well that, plus host to half a million tourists passing through. Like us! (It's quaint, offbeat, and free, so why not?)
The murals inside the building remain the same year after year. They depict the relationships and differences between whites and Native Americans.
Look closely. Those are ears of corn.
OK, enough corn. Back on the road!