Heart of Brookings

Heart of Brookings. . , Brookings County Courthouse , The Renaissance Revival-style courthouse was built in 1911 for $100,000 to replace the original 1885 two-story $7,000 wooden courthouse. Oscar Lee, an amateur artist from Volga, South Dakota, painted several interior murals as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project in the 1930s. Other art in the building was a part of original construction. , Carnegie Library , Persistent local effort led to the construction of the Brookings Carnegie Library. Originally rejected for a Carnegie grant, the community formed the Brookings Free Library Association in 1911 to collect money and books. A mill levy to match the Carnegie grant and provide support for the library passed in 1913. The Carnegie grant was for $10,000. In 1976, it was converted to the Community Cultural Center and is operated by the Brookings Arts Council for exhibits and community cultural events. , Central Elementary , A $90,000 WPA project, Central Elementary was built in 1935. Like many schools of this era, Central Elementary contained a gymnasium. The building became the Children's Museum of South Dakota in 2010. , High School , Built in 1921 southeast of the old 1888 school that residents dubbed the "Red Castle," the High School was designed for 650 students. It had 24 rooms, offices, a gym, and an auditorium. The Middle School later occupied the building. The building is currently known as the "1921" Building and was renovated into apartment and offices in 2004. , Above: Brookings County Courthouse c. 1911. , Upper right: Brookings Carnegie Library in 1975, before the Community Cultural Center moved in. , Left: Central Elementary School. , Right: High School.