Western Canada was built around the railways. The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) line reached what would become Brandon in 1881. By 1882, a railway station had been built to meet it. Continued growth west led to the replacement of this original rail station in 1894.

By the end of the century Brandon was a major player in western Canadian industry. The Brandon railway station was the headquarters for both freight and repairs by the early 1900s.

In 1911, a new station opened at the northern edge of the city center. A prominent presence, the CPR Station is an excellent example of the Beaux Arts Style. Classical detailing, such as the Doric pilasters flanking the doorway, and the symmetry across the façade are mainstays of this form.

Large interior columns with oak and marble trim greet visitors to the building, and a marble staircase lead guests to the second floor. The basement features tiled walls, and the entrance stairway from the train platform.

In 1916 the station became the site for one of Manitoba’s worst railway disaster when a snow clearing crew, a 10-car train, and a freight train collided on January 16th, leaving 19 dead.

With a decline in rail travel and rail industry, the CPR left the Brandon station in 1977.