If you’re looking for one of the more unusual things to see in Dublin, Ohio, you can’t miss the Field of Corn (with Osage Orange Trees). Lovingly known as Cornhenge. Located along Rings Road, this public art installation features 109 giant concrete ears of corn standing in neat rows.
It’s quirky, unexpected, and definitely one of those Ohio attractions that makes you stop and ask, “Why is there a field of concrete corn here?” Because clearly the fields of real corn in Ohio aren’t enough.
But there’s more to the Field of Corn than its unusual appearance. The artwork was created to honor Dublin’s agricultural history and the rural landscape that once covered much of the area.
The Field of Corn is a public art installation created by Columbus-area artist Malcolm Cochran. It consists of 109 human-sized ears of corn made from white architectural precast concrete, arranged in rows to resemble an actual cornfield.
The installation was commissioned in 1993 through Dublin’s Art in Public Places program and was dedicated on October 30, 1994.
Each ear of corn is approximately 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs about 1,500 pounds. The individual sculptures were created using molds made from three full-sized prototypes, each with a different kernel pattern. The finished ears were rotated in different directions so that visitors won’t find identical-looking ears throughout the field.
The answer goes back to the history of the land.
The site where the Field of Corn now stands was once part of a farm owned by Sam and Eulalia Frantz. Sam Frantz was known for his work with hybridized corn and was a leader in the development and use of hybrid corn.
When artist Malcolm Cochran began researching the site for the project, he discovered its connection to the Frantz family and its agricultural history. That discovery helped reinforce the idea behind the installation.
The Field of Corn was designed as a tribute to Dublin’s farming heritage and as a reminder of how quickly the area’s rural landscape was changing as suburban and corporate development expanded.
The park surrounding the artwork was eventually named Frantz Park in recognition of the property’s agricultural history.
At first glance, a field filled with giant concrete corn cobs might seem like nothing more than a fun roadside oddity.
There is actually a deeper meaning behind the design.
Cochran arranged the corn in orderly rows, creating a visual reference to both a traditional cornfield and, from certain angles, a cemetery. The artist intended the work to serve as a memorial to the passing of an agricultural way of life as rural land was transformed by development.
That contrast is part of what makes the installation interesting. The Field of Corn sits in an area that looks very different from the farmland that once occupied the site.
It’s essentially a giant reminder of what was here before Dublin became the growing suburban community it is today.
The official name of the artwork is Field of Corn (with Osage Orange Trees).
If you visit, you’ll notice Osage orange trees alongside the corn installation. When Cochran first visited the property, he noticed a short row of mature Osage orange trees that remained from the site’s agricultural past.
Osage orange trees were traditionally used around farmland as windbreaks and natural boundaries between fields. Cochran incorporated them into the artwork to further connect the installation to the history of the land.
The Field of Corn isn’t a standalone roadside attraction. It is part of Dublin’s Art in Public Places program, a partnership between the City of Dublin and Dublin Arts Council that brings artwork into public spaces throughout the city.
Dublin has an extensive collection of public art, with sculptures and installations located throughout parks, roadsides and other public spaces.
The Field of Corn is one of the most recognizable pieces in the collection and is included among Dublin’s public art destinations.
If you’re interested in seeing more, consider turning your visit into a self-guided Dublin public art tour. The city and Dublin Arts Council provide information about the various pieces, making it possible to explore several installations in a single outing.
Field of Corn (with Osage Orange Trees)
Frantz Park
4995 Rings Road
Dublin, OH 43017
The installation is located near the intersection of Rings Road and Frantz Road.
It’s easy to spot from the road, thanks to the unmistakable rows of giant white corn cobs.
Many visitors pull into the business drive and park alongside the road for a quick stop or a drive-by. For a longer stop, I would look for nearby public parking.
The Field of Corn is not a large attraction with a visitor center, gift shop, or admission fee. It’s best thought of as a quick public art stop.
Plan to spend around 10-15 minutes if you want to walk among the corn, take photos, and read the information panels.
There is no admission fee to see the Field of Corn. The grounds are open daily until dusk.
This is one of those places where the photos are half the fun.
The rows of concrete corn create fun perspective shots, and standing next to one of the ears gives you a good idea of just how large they are.
For the best photos, walk through the rows and experiment with different angles rather than taking a picture only from the road. They make a fun backdrop to family and group photos.
The grounds are open until dusk, but daylight is best for exploring the installation and reading the historical information.
Early morning or later afternoon can also provide softer light for photography.
The Field of Corn is located near busy roads, so use caution when entering and leaving the area, especially with children.
Keep kids within the designated park area, and watch for traffic on the surrounding roads.
The sculptures are made of concrete and are extremely heavy, with each ear weighing approximately 1,500 pounds. They’re designed to be viewed and walked around, not climbed.
If you enjoy quirky roadside attractions, unusual public art, or exploring unique places in Ohio, the Field of Corn is absolutely worth a stop.
It’s especially easy to add to a day exploring Dublin because you can combine it with other pieces in the city’s public art collection, along with parks, restaurants and attractions throughout Dublin.
And while the Field of Corn may look like a strange collection of giant concrete vegetables at first, knowing its history gives the installation a completely different perspective.
If you like quirky attractions, then this is a perfect addition to your road trip itinerary.
Looking for more Unhinged Attractions? Check out these related articles:
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