One of the wonderful things that happens on cross-country RV trips is that you come across places that you never planned to visit. But since you are in the area, and have the time, they make delightful memories. Such a location is the Corn Palace, a special events center located in Mitchell, SD. Apart from endless fields of corn, the area is otherwise scenically-challenged.
As you can see by the pictures below, the building is decorated with murals made of colored corn cobs, augmented with other agricultural products. The pictures are changed every year between the months of August and October. What you see here are the almost-completed new year’s theme, designed by local college students at Dakota Wesleyan University. It is not a destination location, but well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Built in 1892, in a 12-year old town of then 3,000 people, the goal of the palace was to display the fact that South Dakota has a vibrant agricultural climate. 
This depicts Crazy Horse, the new monument being constructed near Rushmore. 
A close-up of one of the murals, showing the corn cob detail. 
This year’s theme is “South Dakota home grown,” which explains the murals of Crazy Horse, the palace itself, rodeos, Rushmore, and the yet to be completed mural above the 1921, which will be a motorcycle, a nod to Sturgis. They even include their one presidential candidate, George McGovern.
