Mitchell boasts one of the most novel and notable icons in the nation: the Corn Palace. This postcard from 1921 shows the new Corn Palace which is the one known today. It cost $200,000 to build and can seat 5,000 people. Prior to this, there were two other Corn Palaces in Mitchell which were too small for the success and interest that having this unique structure generated. The first came about to celebrate South Dakota agriculture. The second was built in 1905. Today, twelve colors of corn grown in the area and naturally occurring crops and grasses are used to create the murals. To renovate the murals it costs approximately $175,000, using 325,000 cobs of corn, split lengthwise and over a million nails.