Facts About Brookings

1. Brookings was founded in 1879 and named after Wilmot Brookings, a prominent businessman and politician of the time.

2. Brookings is also home to the South Dakota Art Museum, which features works by regional and national artists.

3. The city has a rich history with many historical places, such as the Medary House, the oldest standing structure in Brookings, and the Brookings County Courthouse, an impressive building built in 1894.

4. Brookings is the site of the National Field Archery Association’s Hall of Fame and Museum.

5. Brookings is home to several parks and recreational areas, including McCrory Gardens and the Children’s Museum of South Dakota.

6. Brookings is the fourth largest city in South Dakota, with an estimated population of 23,577, as of 2021.

7. Brookings is the hometown of Charles Percy in the ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. & Brookings is the hometown of the main character in Netflix’s series Love, Gus Cruikshank.

8. Brookings is home to South Dakota State University, which is the state’s largest university and the state’s only research university.

9. The city has a strong manufacturing sector, with several large companies based in the area, including 3M and Daktronics.

10. The city is located in a region of South Dakota known as the “Glacial Lakes Area,” which is known for its many lakes and rivers.

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