Back in Time, July 20

Shown is the 1905 Corn Palace during the decorating process. The Corn Palace was torn down in June, 1905 at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Main Street and a new one was built on the north east corner of Fifth Avenue and Main Street. Increasing yearly attendance made the need for a larger building. No contractor would bid the job, Dr. B. F. Dundas, a relative newcomer to Mitchell, took personal charge hiring who he could as day laborers. The new 125 by 145 foot structure was completed in 55 days after the laying of the cornerstone. With the new Palace came the new name for the festival – the Corn Belt Exposition became the Corn Palace Festival. Governor S.H. Elrod delivered the dedicatory address. An Italian band, Sorrentino’s Banda Rossa was the entertainment for the week, while the free acts outside consisted mainly of acrobatic acts.