Brownsville

Brownsville is an unincorporated community in Lawrence County, South Dakota, that has faded into ghost-town status. It originated as a lumber camp and took its name from contractor David Brown. Over time it also went by the names Avalon, Esther's Place, and Anderson's Place — a collection of informal monikers that hints at the fluid, transient character of its early days.

The site's most notable distinction today is its proximity to John Hill Ranch-Keltomaki, a property listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Visitors with an interest in historic preservation or rural South Dakota history may find that connection a worthwhile reason to explore the area.