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A Shucking Disaster: Nightmare at the Mitchell Corn Palace
October 19, 2012
Corn is so American that there's even a monument for it: the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. Since 1892, the exterior of the palace has featured a mural completely made out of corn — but, a drought in the heartland is now threatening this annual tradition.
Stephen traveled to Mitchell, South Dakota to interview the Corn Palace's director Mark Schilling about the effects the drought has had on this national treasure.
• Corn Cam: Live stream of the Corn Palace
Schilling told Stephen about the call he received -- the kind that every corn palace director dreads. Instead of 12 colors of corn to create mural designs, Schilling was told they would now only have eight.
• Click to see the Corn Palace's mural history
"It's hard to envision the United States without a corn palace. But if it were to go away, I think we'd lose one of America's great icons, landmarks. And every time you lose one of those American traditions, it just hurts more and more," said Schilling.
Without a kernel of hope, Schilling had to make a game changing decision about the palace's mural. Watch the special report below to find out what happened to one of America's great landmarks.
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