Brainerd, a city located at the geographical center of the state of Minnesota, began life as a railroad town. The owner of the railroad at the time was John Gregory Smith. Rather than naming the new community Smithville or Smithton, the maiden name of his wife, Anne Eliza Brainerd Smith, was chosen as the moniker. Thus, in 1870, Brainerd was born.<br> Today that humble little railroad town is a growing city; not only concerned with lumber and railroads but also a hub for tourism, a burgeoning service industry, and more.<br> Situated at the heart of this exceptional vacationland, the cities of Brainerd and Baxter offer visitors a delightful combination of sophistication and scenic surroundings. Brainerd is nestled along the bluffs of the Mississippi River offering a mixture of old and new. The city features a picturesque downtown and historic Gregory Park area plus new housing and industrial developments thrive within its boundaries. Visit museums, dozens of unique shops, shopping malls, city parks and many, many more fun and exciting attractions.