A corn exchange (Commonwealth English) or grain exchange (North American English) was a building where farmers and merchants traded cereal grains. Such trade was common in towns and cities across Great Britain and Ireland until the 19th century, but as the trade became centralised in the 20th century many such buildings were used for other purposes. Several have since become heritage sites.
The name corn refers to all cereal grains in most varieties of English, not only to maize as in North America.
For the history of corn exchanges, see:
- grain trade
- Commodity market and
- Commodities exchange
Famous quotes containing the words corn and/or exchange:
“The corn is as high as an elephant’s eye,
And it looks like it’s climbin’ clear up to the sky.”
—Oscar Hammerstein II (1895–1960)
“So long as the system of competition in the production and exchange of the means of life goes on, the degradation of the arts will go on; and if that system is to last for ever, then art is doomed, and will surely die; that is to say, civilization will die.”
—William Morris (1834–1896)