Brookings Historic Preservation Commission

07/26/2026

It’s been a busy few days for us at National Alliance of Preservation Commissions Forum 2026 learning more about historic preservation and how we can better support our historic properties and owners.

06/25/2026

News Release: The Brookings Historic Preservation Commission is seeking nominations for the 2026 Mayor’s Awards for outstanding achievements in historic preservation. The nomination deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, July 31.

The nomination form and additional information can be found at https://ow.ly/ceJj50ZhkIH, or by contacting Associate Planner Bailey Maca at 605-697-8631 or [email protected].

The awards recognize significant achievements in historic preservation in the City of Brookings and seek to inspire others to preserve, protect and promote historic resources.

Read full news release at https://ow.ly/jN8850ZhkII

05/30/2026

As we close out Archeology and Historic Preservation month, we have a combination architectural term and question for you!
The term is "Cornerstone."
Definition: The cornerstone is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. It was typically set where two walls met and was engraved with the date to commemorate when the building was constructed.
Do you know what building was built in Brookings in 1894 and has the cornerstone shown in the photo below?

05/28/2026

Let's talk building materials. "Back in the day" it was more feasible to construct buildings out of materials that were local to the area. This building was first constructed in 1900 as the Bank of Brookings. It now houses George's Pizza where you can take a seat in the old bank vault. The building's facade includes a type of stone that is local to southeastern South Dakota. Do you know the name of this stone?

05/26/2026

It's the last week of Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month. Don't forget to stop by the Brookings Public Library to see our display of a map of the Brookings historic downtown as it was in 1928 and historic pictures of buildings that were built before 1930. These buildings are part of the Brookings Commercial Historic District and the Brookings Central Historic District and helped "Build Brookings' History."

05/20/2026

It's still Archeology and Historic Preservation Month - so it's time for another architecture term: Cast Stone.
Definition: Cast stone is a building material made of fine to coarse aggregates, Portland cement, sand, mineral oxide color pigments, chemical admixtures and water. It is used to to simulate natural-cut masonry. It is distinguished by its fine surface texture and is available in virtually any color.
Cast stone is comparable to precast concrete, in that it arrives to the building site already in the exact shape you expect it to, whereas in the past, real stone would have been site-hewn to the shape necessary. Cast stone, like that shown on the Brookings Furniture Co building (long-time formerly Rude’s), is easy to spot, and is possibly the quirkiest example of cast stone in town.

05/18/2026

Do you know what downtown building has this architectural detail?
Hint: It's not on the main drag but used to be the center of the city government.

05/15/2026

Did you know that the South Dakota State Historical Society has a webpage with information on grants, tax incentives, and other funding opportunities that might help you with your restoration project on your historic property? Check it out:

Funded by a portion of the gambling revenue generated in Deadwood, South Dakota. Grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 given to projects that retain, restore, or rehabilitate historic buildings, structures, and archaeology sites in South Dakota for commercial, residential, or public purposes.