The a-maize-ing history of corn in Illinois
- Meghan McMahon
- Sep 12
- 3 min read
If you take a road trip through Illinois (or many of the nearby states, for that matter) there is almost a guarantee that you will be driving through cornfields. Corn is among the main treats at barbecues and fests. And what is fall without a corn maze? These are just some of the places we can see corn.
Corn and items made from corn are so much a part of our lives that it’s no wonder corn is not just one but three of our state symbols!
A-maize-ing evolution
Corn, or maize, has its roots in the Americas. All sorts of scientists — archaeologists who study human cultures, biologists who study plants and geneticists who look at DNA — have been studying corn. These scientists look at today’s corn, preserved corn from centuries ago and where it all grew. Scientists are still learning, but what we have learned so far is that corn evolved from a grass called teosinte.
If you saw teosinte in the wild, you would not mistake it for corn. However, more than 10,000 years ago, Indigenous peoples of Mexico started to take the teosinte plants with the biggest and juiciest seeds. They then planted those seeds so the next growing season had plants with even more food on them.
Words to know
Archaeologist: A person who studies human history and prehistory through excavation of sites and analysis of artifacts and remains.
Biologist: A person who studies biology, which is the science of living organism.
Geneticist: A person who studies heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.
Ornamental: Serving or intending to serve as decoration.
Petition: To make a formal request to an authority with respect to a particular cause.
As they experimented with the plants that produced the best harvest, these ancient farmers also began to trade with other villages throughout Central America and South America, who in turn also planted versions of the teosinte plant. This trading back and forth led to a whole bunch of varieties, colors and textures of what we call maize.
Corn did not just spread south, but also north through many Native villages in the United States and Canada. Later, when Europeans came to the Americas, they brought corn back to Europe and to Africa and Asia. Maize became (and still is) an important crop in farm fields all over the world!
Kernel clarification
Rows and rows of corn grow across Illinois farmland. While it all looks the same from far away, there are actually a few different types of corn sprouting up.
Dent corn: This is sometimes called field corn. It gets its name from the indent that forms when the corn dries. This is the hard, sometimes dead-looking corn that is left on the stalk. It is used to feed farm animals. It also pops up as an ingredient in everyday things like cereal. This is mostly the corn grown here in Illinois, which is probably why it was named the Illinois state grain in 2018.
Sweet corn: These are the delicious cobs you munch on at barbecues and festivals. It is picked before it is fully mature, when it has the most sugars. This delicious variety was designated as the Illinois state vegetable in 2015.
Popcorn: Popcorn has kernels with a hard shell and a moist center. Heat from a stovetop or microwave causes pressure inside the kernel until … POP! The kernel turns into popcorn. Second- and third-graders from Joliet petitioned for popcorn become the Illinois state snack food, and in 2003 it became official.
Flint corn: Like the stone it is named for, flint corn is hard. It comes in a variety of colors, which is why it is sometimes called ornamental corn or Indian corn. It is grown mostly in Central America and South America, and in the fall season, we use it here in the United States for decoration.
Corn and its varieties are a perfect example of how humans have changed plants throughout history. Corn is a popular food for so many people that it shaped us too! Keep an eye — or ear — out for all the places corn pops up in our everyday lives.
