Brookings began as a company town for the Brookings Lumber and Box Company, which was owned by Robert Brookings. Brookings has two state parks, Harris and Loeb, within its city limits. Harris State Park includes the largest island off of the Oregon coast, and has many kinds of wildlife to see, including sea lions, seals, and many types of marine birds. Loeb State Park is located near the Chetco River, in a grove of spicy smelling myrtlewoods.