06/04/2026
It's a new month and time for the June Historic House of the Month! Let's celebrate the Brookman House at 404 Cottage Avenue!
The Brookman House is a Queen Anne structure that has been lovingly cared for by members of the Brookman and Flanagin families since 1894. It presides over the corner of Dartmouth Street and Cottage Avenue and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2023.
The house was built by Eric G. Matson (Dalesburg Lutheran Church, the West Side and East Side Schools, many houses) for S.E. and Anna Brookman. S.E. and his twin brother Edgar worked in milling and steam-power in the Vermillion area. S.E. had 4 accomplished sons, the oldest being Harold (Ruth), who was an engineer, architect and USD faculty member in engineering and in applied science. He was responsible for the steam tunnels built under the campus, designed Danforth Chapel and designed the first swimming pool in Prentis Park. Brookman Hall (1963 campus dormitory, demolished in 2023) was named for Harold. Ruth was prominent in city organizations including the Civic Council, the school board, and the Vermillion Development Company. They lived in the house from 1925-1972.
Jon and Judy Flanagin purchased the house in 1973. Judy died in 2013 and Jon remained in the house until his death in 2023. Both taught at the University of South Dakota until their retirements in 2005. Jon was professor and chair of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work; Judy taught in speech pathology. Their sons, Craig and Andrew own the house and are prepared to sell it to an equally devoted owner (contact [email protected]).
From the late Victorian period, the house is a well-preserved example of the Spindlework subtype of Queen Anne. This subtype is exemplified by such aspects as the turned posts of the wrap-around porch, the frieze spindles below the roof of the porch, scrolled brackets and decorative shingles. The narrow front of the house faces Cottage Avenue (404) and the front door leads to its elegant entryway. The two and a half stories with their dormer and gable, a picture window, and screened and open porches dominate the southern expanse of the house and side yard which can be seen from Dartmouth Street. A garage west of the house, showing Craftsman elements, replaced an old barn in about 1915.
Careful modernization has retained the historic integrity. Original oak flooring and trim, plaster and lathe walls, stained glass windows, a pocket door, a fireplace, and a built-in china cabinet remain and grace the living rooms of the first floor. The second floor houses four bedrooms, an office, a storage closet and a full bathroom which was modernized with period features. On the main floor, the back porch was enclosed for more kitchen space. For more information about 404 Cottage Avenue, please see VHPC | Historic Properties: Individual
Each month, the commission highlights a house in Vermillion that is classified as a contributing property in the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places (NR). Houses listed in the NR have maintained the historical integrity of their architectural and/or historic significance and are at least fifty years old. The house is featured on the commission’s website at VermillionHPC.org and on its page, Historic Preservation Commission. The owner receives a certificate, and a sign will be placed in the front yard of the property for the month. Photos: Andrew Flanagin
