Brandon University's historical development may be traced to a small college established in 1880 in Rapid City by a group of Baptist families. They sought to bring post-secondary education to what was then a remote prairie area. Ten years later, as the area developed further and the railroad route was finally determined, the College was moved to Brandon. It was officially taken over by the Northwest Baptist Convention in 1899. Land was secured, buildings were erected, and Brandon College commenced operations on the present site of the University in 1901.