Brookings

Brookings is a county seat in eastern South Dakota that stretches along Interstate 29. The city sits at an elevation of roughly 1,620 feet (494 meters) and is shaped by flat farmland and small residential neighborhoods with tree-lined streets.

The founding took place in 1857 after negotiations directed the railway line through this area instead of neighboring settlements. During the late 19th century, the town developed into a regional supply center through the arrival of farmers and its connection to the rail network.

The South Dakota Art Museum displays works by regional artists and rotating exhibitions on northern prairie history. The Children's Museum offers interactive stations where young visitors learn about local natural phenomena through experiments and games.

The South Dakota State University campus sits in the eastern part of town and can be explored on foot. Main streets run in a grid pattern and connect residential areas with shops and public facilities in the center.

The city receives roughly 25 inches (640 millimeters) of precipitation each year, some of which falls as snow and covers the flat fields surrounding it during winter. These weather conditions shape the rhythm of the agricultural year in the region.

Location: Brookings County

Inception: 1857

Elevation above the sea: 494 m

Shares border with: Sioux Falls

Website: http://cityofbrookings.org

GPS coordinates: 44.30639,-96.78806

Latest update: December 13, 2025 19:24