Discussions

Brandon had an interesting beginning in that it went from nothing to a city in less than a year. As Pierre Berton recounts: This began in Brandon: A man called McVicar had a farm in Grand Valley and General Rosser, who was then the engineer, rode out and said to McVicar, “We want to buy your land. What’s the price? He offered him a price and McVicar was going to take it until his friend said, “No, this is the CPR, ask for more.” So McVicar raised the price about $10,000 and Rosser looked at him and said, “I’ll be damned if there’ll ever be a town at Grand Valley”-and there never has been. He drove off to the Brandon Hills and formed the town of Brandon in what was virgin territory…  
(except from “The Last Spike 100th Anniversary” speech to the Epire Club by Pierre Burton at www.empireclubfoundation.com/details.asp?FT=yes&SpeechID=237  
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In early 1882 Brandon experienced a ‘rapidly accumulating population,’ the need for civic government became an urgent need. Thus with the urgings of the communities newest news publication, the ‘Brandon Sun.’ Thousands of immigrants made Brandon a stop off centre to get outfitted before their search for Homestead lands. It was estimated that the city population numbered sixteen hundred.  
City incorporation was sought of the provincial Legislature. The Bill, that brought five thousand, seven hundred and sixty acres (nine sections) under municipal control, was passed.  
Brandon’s first elections were held with Thomas Mayne Daly becoming the city’s first Mayor. Voters in four wards elected twelve Aldermen: Mr. William Winter, Mr. J.H. Brock, and Mr. A.L. Sifton: Mr. James A. Smart, Mr. George Winters, and Mr. Ezekiel Evans: Mr. S.M. Bower, Mr. Charles Pilling, and Mr. M. Lockhart: Mr. L. Buchan, Mr. L.M. Portier, and Mr. J.W. Horne.  
Source:  
www.empireclubfoundation.com/details.asp?FT=yes&SpeechID=237