The game of Horseshoes can trace its origins back to ancient civilization. Roman soldiers and peasants each played a variation of tossing metal objects around stakes pounded into the ground. The game was played widely throughout Europe and morphed into its current state. It then spread throughout America via early English settlers. Cornhole cannot trace its roots back to the Romans. Cornhole cannot definitively be traced to settlers. The only absolutes about our lawn game is that the first documented emergence occurred in Cincinnati and that the name is derived from the bags.

Theories

The most widely accepted progenitor of the game is Jebediah Magillicutty, a Midwestern farmer who lived during the 1800's. He is believed to have created the game and played it in his barn with family. His rumored inspiration was watching bys in the field throwing rocks into groundhog dens. Fearing for their safety, he affixed household doors at angles to the ground with bored holes three-quarters to the top. He then stuffed burlap sacks with dried corn and thus concocted a close and safe proximate to the boys' game.

Others suggest that a form of Cornhole was played in Europe and that various ethnic groups brought their version of the game to America. This could explain the multitude of names still in existence--"corn toss", "bag toss", "baggo" and, of course, "Cornhole". Some even give credit to Native Americans, but no evidence substantiates such a claim.


What is known

Whether an ancient tribe, an unnamed farmer or Magillicutty is responsible, it is accepted that the game evolved over the century into a standard form. Cornhole boards measure two feet wide by four feet long, and contain a six-inch hole near the rear end of the board. The rear height is generally twelve inches tall. Boards are spaced twenty-seven feet from front edge to front edge. This standard emerged in backyard and tournament form initially in Cincinnati, and gained notoriety as a tailgating pastime at Bengal's games around 1999.

Today

Cornhole can be found throughout the country, still as a popular tailgating game, but more commonly as backyard, family fun. The game, through its simplicity has gained a cult following and has grown into a recognized sport. Therefore, regardless of Cornhole's bastard roots, the sport has found its place in our culture. We appreciate the individual inspiration or the collective offshoots that somehow congealed into the boards and bags of today. Historians take note. Our game may not grace ancient Roman artwork, but it thrives today in the ever-evolving picture of American life.