Through the ingenuity of a group of wealthy businessmen in Sioux City the idea of the corn palace originated. It was to celebrate the forward moving economy and profile of the city and region. On occasion the palaces covered more than a city block. In its own sense it was a small rival to the Universal Expositions that took place in Europe and later the World’s Fairs in Chicago and Saint Louis. The amount of visitors to the corn palaces was staggering and even Grover Cleveland came after his last term as president.

The first was built in 1887 and the last in 1891. Each outdid its predecessor in size and opulence. The idea for the corn palace clock tower came as a celebration of the uniqueness of the idea to Sioux City and the relevance it would have as a memorial to its originality. The bricks will be made to resemble those of that era and will echo the colors of corn that were used in the decoration of the palaces. Other features were interpreted from various years of the palaces reign and incorporated to make a structure that looks like the period it represents. Much research was put into the project. A hymn card was discovered in the public library which honored the palace of 1890. The tune will be used as a chime for the clock. The structure will stand around 24 feet high and commemorative plaques to each palace will be included. One location considered to be appropriate is on the river front near the Anderson Pavilion. The planned corn palace of 1892 was never built because of the flood which occurred in Sioux City in May of that year. Modern engineering has resolved that problem and the tower could now grace the side of its one-time threat.

Click here to listen to the proposed tune for the chimes.

For more information on the Sioux City Corn Palaces go to http://www.siouxcityhistory.org/cornpalace/