The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-01-06
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THOUSANDS IN 1915
IMPROVEMENTS TO RESIDENCE
SECTION OF CITY IN PAST
YEAR GO OVER 5000, 900. 100
ALL OTHER LINES SHOW ADVANCEMENT
Business Conditions Excellent, City
Looking Toward Future, Bank De-
posts Heavy-Prosperity Reigns

posts HeaVy-Prosperity Heigns
Fourth, and perhaps third, in the en-
tire state in the number of new homes
built during the past year is Brookings'
record.
To talk freely of thousands spent in
an already envious residence district
and other substantial improvements in
the city is but n phase of the broad
scheme of advancement that has char
acterized the year 1915 in Bookings,
called by many the most prosperous
year in her history. improvements of
the farms of the district and the intelli-
gent agricultural knowledge displayed
by their occupants has placed Brook
ings county the peer Of the South Da-
kota agricultural region. A year of I'M
bounded prosperity has made the city
among other municipalities of it's class
in the Northwest, in wealth and popu-
lation.
Expenditures for new and bigger and
better things speak prosperity and
progressiveness, but they would count
for little unless accompanied by ad-
vancement along all the lines that con
tribute to better living. With this in
view residents of the "city of beautiful
homes" may reflect with satisfaction
upon the two fundamentals Of the
city's foundation; namely, that splen-
did and growing educational institu-
ton for young people, South Dakota
State College, and the general moral
tone of t. community, represented by
the excellent condition Of the many
religious organizations in the city, the
spiritual and financial support they re-
ceive and the influence they exert.
Business Conditions Good
There has at no time been a touch
of the financial depression that has
been experienced in less favored cities
as the result of the war, and capital
has at all times been available for
legitimate new local projects and ex-
tensions. The growth in business is
to be credited largely 10 old, well es-
tablished concerns, although a few
new ones have entered the field and
are contributing their share toward
making a greater BrOokings.
The sentiment of the business men
is, we believe, expressed in the follow
ing words of a prominent merchant of
the city, Il think that business condi-
lions during the year were very salts
factory as a whole. Collections have
been rather slow the past month or so,
due no doubt to the fact that farmers
have not sold off much of their pro.
duce and the 1915 corn crop was not
quite up to expectations. There is
plenty of money in the country and
prospects are good for the coming
year. Brookings was a great market
and trading point during the past year
due to the reliable institutions estab'
lished here, and this way drew trade
that never came our way before"
Condition Of City
The city of Brookings at present has
a bonded indebtedness of $9S, 500.0 90
On January l there was a balance in
the hands of the city treasurer of So.
O95.2O. However, Brookings is looking
out for the future. The past has been
one of expense and improvem mt. The
future will be one of receipts.
The new municipal heating and
lighting plant has cost the city be-
tween $25, 900. 90 and $50, 900. 90, includ
ing the building and new MACHINERY
A handsome and serviceable brick
building has been completed, a new
switchboard and engine installed, two
new boilers and two e automatic
stokers purchased and a complete new
water heating apparatus secured. A
new generator has been ordered, also
new piping for the entire plant. and by
spring Brookings will enjoy the most
complete and modern municipal heat
ing and lighting plant in South Dakota
Seven blocks of water mains were add
ed to the city waterworks system dur
ing 1915 and the 1916 heating, lighting
and water revenue should materially
cut down our indebtedness.
Other Public Organizations
One of the most prosperous organic
atoms of the city is the Brookings
Commercial Club. A membership Of
over one hundred eighty and over 81,
900 in the treasury speaks for itself
Enjoying the most up-to-date club
rooms in the state. no organization IL