“You Are About to Enter Brookings County”

Home of roving Indians until 1862. The exploring party of Nicollet, scientist, and Fremont, ‘Pathfinder of the West,' visited Oakwood Lakes July 1838, leaving the first reliable record. The region East of the Big Sioux was ceded by the Santee Sioux in 1851 that to the west by the

Yankton Sioux in 1858. A breastwork was made at Oakwood Lakes in 1859 and occupied again in 1862-63. In 1857 Nobles Wagon Road was built through the county, crossing the Big Sioux over an improved ford. A settlement, Medary, existed there 1857-58 when the Sioux forced its abandonment. Permanent settlement was begun nearby in 1869 by 10 Norwegians with Medary the county seat 1871-79. Another such colony of 31 settled at Lake Hendricks in July 1873.

Population increased rapidly after 1877, numbering 4,965 in 1880, and 10,132 in 1890. Brookings County was created in 1862 and named for Wilmont W. Brookings (1830-1905), prominent pioneer judge and legislator. Until 1873 it included parts of Moody, Lake and Kingsbury Counties. It was organized on July 3rd, 1871 in Martin N. Trygstand’s cabin, 4 miles NW of Medary.

Most towns began in 1879 when the Northwestern R.R. crossed the county, and others when roads pushed North in 1884. Medary, Oakwood and Fountain became ghost towns and

Brookings the county seat. In 1881 State College was established in Brookings, opening its doors in 1884.

Brookings County welcomes you to its 791 square miles of prosperous farms, beautiful lakes and happy homes.

Brookings County, Old US 77 or County route 77 - 8 miles south of Brookings at 220 St. (2006)