There is no doubt cornhole is a popular game, but where did the game that’s taken the nation by storm come from? Well, there are a lot of theories, but no one is certain.
Of these theories, perhaps the oldest and most popular theory dates back to 14th century Germany. This theory states cornhole originated when a Bavarian farmer by the name of Matthias Kuepermann observed a few boys throwing large, heavy rocks into a hole. When he saw the danger this could pose, he invented a similar and safer alternative using soft-sided bags.
There are many references to a similar game being plays amongst Native Americans, while there is also a widely believed notion that many ancient civilizations played a comparable game of throwing rocks into holes in the ground as means of entertainment and killing time.
Elaborating on the Küpermann, many believe the Germans brought the game across the Atlantic, while the game slowly evolved and transformed over time.
From there, most Midwesterners believe the game was rediscovered within the past couple centuries somewhere in Kentucky or right in eCornhole.com’s hometown of Cincinnati, OH.
Of these beliefs, there is a predominant theory about Midwestern farmer named Jebediah McGillicuddy (or McGillicutty) inventing the game as a means of passing time on his farm with friends and family, but this theory has its skeptics, largely due to Jebediah’s name… And I must admit, a Hebrew first name with an Irish last name on a farm in Kentucky does seem curious.
You can read more about our references and the different stories of cornhole history here, here, here, here and here.
While it’s not clear where exactly our beloved game of cornhole originated or how its history unfolded, one thing is certain: Cincinnati loves a good game of cornhole!
Do you have your own cornhole history theory? Leave us a comment, tweet us, or post it on our Facebook page. We would love to hear!
Don’t forget about our July contest…Share* a picture of you, your friends, or your family playing cornhole (only with their consent) on our Facebook page for a chance to win a free set of cornhole bags. If you don’t have a picture, tell us a story! One (1) winner** will be randomly drawn around 5pm EST on July 31st and notified via Facebook, so you have plenty of time to play and share for a chance to win.
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* Make sure you share the page directly from our Facebook page, as we are not notified if you re-share someone else’s post.
** A random winner will be selected and notified via Facebook private message. The winner must acknowledge receipt of this message within 48 hours. After receipt confirmation, eCornhole.com will coordinate color choice and shipping with the winner, as well as acknowledge the winner on our Twitter and Facebook. Please note the winner will be notified through an eCornhole.com employee’s personal account, as we cannot initiate private messages through the company’s page.
