The History of Cornhole

Cornhole, bags, lawn toss, dummy boards, bean bag toss, hillbilly toss… call it whatever you like. Regardless of the name you wish to assign to it, this game of throwing bags filled with corn or beans at a raised platform with a hole in the far end is said to be the fastest growing game in America. Still don’t know what this game is about? I’ll let these guys sum up the hype around it to you:

For such a simple, yet tremendously popular game, one might wonder who came up with the idea for this game in the first place. Unfortunately, just like many of our well-loved sources of entertainment in America, you will not find a definite history of the game (bummer). However, there are some stories that attempt to explain its origins.

Some say that the game started its history in ancient civilizations dating as far back as the 1300s, when people tossed rocks at holes in the ground. Others argue that the Native American Blackhawk tribe in Illinois should get credit for the invention. They are said to have used pigs’ bladders filled with dried beans to compete in this fashion (that’s really odd, but major props to them for creativity). 

These groups in history are not the only ones to get some type of credit for the invention though. Perhaps one of the most popular geographic locations that lays claim to the creation of cornhole is the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. This cornhole-obsessed city claims that German immigrants invented the game when corn was in abundance there in the 1800s. Still, others say that a man by the name of Jebediah McGillicuddy should take the credit. They say that this Kentucky farmer created the game in the 1800s as well, as a form of entertainment on the farm for his family and friends.

Although there is no real proof of where this game of bags and boards got its roots, it still doesn’t change the fact that it is nearly impossible to avoid seeing it being played in all kinds of locations ranging from bars, to tailgates, to backyard barbeques, and most importantly, to tournaments…

Speaking of tournaments: Are you ready to become Columbia College’s first cornhole tournament champion? Grab a partner (check out this blog to find out how to pick the best one) and head on over to our website to sign-up for your chance to gain the ultimate level of bragging rights that CC has to offer. We want you to be able to make your mark in cornhole history too.. and don’t worry, we’ll make sure future legend plays it up a bit.