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The Corn Palace Story While driving through South Dakota on route 90, I think, approximately every 5 miles there was a sign for The Corn Palace. I had remembered seeing one or two signs in Iowa for The Corn Palace, although my interest had not been tethered, at least at the onset. However, after about 80 miles, the signs seemed to be appearing more often. I thought it was me, but I checked the mile markers and proved my hypothesis. Now, my curiosity had been tackled and I just had to see what this Corn Palace was. I pictured it as a giant ear of corn, maybe 10 stories tall and a half of a block wide with a top of turned out green husks and golden-brown corn silk. An entrance was visible, shaped like a barn door and decorated with dangling husks of coloured corn. Inside, I could imagine a massive, brightly lit hall decorated along the sides with potted corn plants. On the sides, giant bleachers crowded with people could be seen with faces captivated on the center of the room. The center of attraction was, of course, a circus. I don't know why my imagination displayed The Corn Palace as such, but that's how I viewed it, at least until I saw a picture of it on another billboard. I decided to take the exit for Mitchell, SD, the home of the one and only, world famous Corn Palace. After driving on the rural road for a short time, I figured that I had actually missed it, until I came upon a small city and many signs for this Corn Palace. Utilizing my amazing driving talents, I quickly redirected the vehicle to the appropriate lanes, according to the signs, and appeared to be going in the correct direction. Maneuvering left and right, I finally spotted a parking area dedicated to the corn palace. I parked the truck, opened the door, got out and stretched. Excitement filled my entire life force as I prepared to actually visit the corn palace. My truck was the only vehicle in the lot. Where were all the people? Wasn't anyone as excited as I? Wouldn't you think that a world-famous site would have at least one other visitor, someone who I could converse with about this amazing sight? Someone who could share dreams and stories of corn? The Palace was still not in sight. I decided to follow the prompts and walk to it. Turning the corner of a lifeless highway, I saw it in all of it's glory. Directly in front of me was the Corn Palace. It was impressive looking with large onion-shaped towers, much like an old church in Russia. The camera was removed from it's little holder and pictures were quickly snapped for what if there was a fire or an explosion and I missed it? I didn't want to take the chance. The camera was gripped tightly in my hand as I crossed the street, eyeing the entrance to the palace. The door opened smoothly. One would think that it would have been held by a doorman, since this is a famous attraction. Entering the building, I saw a lobby. The perimeter walls were lined with photographs, which I quickly strolled over to inspect. The photographs were of previous attempts at decorating the facade of the palace. Each year, as I read in one of the captions, the building's exterior is redone. It seems that the blackbirds and the weather have an effect on it's appearance. The birds eat the little corn seeds, so patiently affixed, and the rain and snow and wind attempt to modify it by removing what they can. While probing the interior, I noticed that exhibits were set up in glass cases. You can press a button and hear a recorded story, or just view the projects and read the caption cards. It seems that the palace has been around for a hundred years, constantly updated and maintained. Further along the perimeter hallway were openings to the inside. A large basketball court was in one area, and a theater was in another. Perhaps they have lectures about corn, or even films. I decided that I had embarked on this endeavour at too late of a date; corn was not in season, since the fields were frozen. Making my round toward the front on the opposite side, I did notice what appeared to be college students, taking pictures and notes. Another small group was enjoying the multimedia presentation at one exhibit. Before exiting, I noticed a donation box and proceeded to drop in a small amount of money. My small contribution could just help keep the Corn Palace alive. After all of the excitement of the palace, I proceeded to a small gift shop, where I purchased a hat. I should have gotten some corn, ay? |