CHAPS Cochrane Historical Museum
Cochrane Historical & Archival Preservation Society
Beautiful Scenery
Visitors to the CHAPS Museum in Cochrane, Alberta are within an hour’s drive of Banff National Park and the mountain playgrounds west of Calgary that offer year round outdoor activities in a beautiful setting.
Located within The Cochrane Ranche
The Dominion Government incorporated a company in 1881 and it was known as the Cochrane Ranche Company. (excerpt from Big Hill Country page 155).
The Museum Building's History
Constructed in 1909 by the Davies family using bricks from the Collin’s Brick Yard. Built to be used as a hospital/nursing home and private residence. Moved to its current site in 2014.
Experience the history of
Canada's West
Through the eyes of its settlers, ranchers and farmers;
the service and supply businesses, the educators and more.
Jack and Betty Macdonell
Many wonderful drama nights happened because of Jack’s dedication. Some of the plays were “The Valiant”, “Jane Eyre” and “Johnny Dunn”. The community really enjoyed these productions.
Rev. Father John Lessard
Father Lessard was the founder and publisher of the local paper “The Old Timer” which covered the Cochrane and district news for many years. He also sent it overseas as he felt it was important for the men overseas during WW II to have some news from home and keep up with what was going on.
Can you date this photo of Cochrane?
Can you date this photo? The credits on it are from Trevor Beynon dated 1960’s.
Here is the orginal we received. The second photo is an AI sharpened copy.
Click on either version to expand.
75th Library Anniversary
Cochrane Public Library 75th Anniversary Nov. 23, 2025 A very well attended 75th anniversary event was held this past week. It was nearly perfectly timed to coincide with the founding on November 24th 1950. Hosted by Carmen Erison with speakers Marni Fedeyko Town of Cochrane, Charles Love, Melissa Legacy, Cochrane Public Library, and Gemma Noon
J.A.W. Fraser
The year 1912 saw the beginning of the now famous Calgary Stampede, and it was decided to import Texas Longhorns as a crowd chiller. Wintering these animals posed a problem and eventually they turned up at the XC, where they added a spectacular feature to the landscape.
The Cochrane Train Station
Residents from Cochrane could catch the train into Calgary and return the same day and the Calgary residents could come out to Cochrane and return the same day. It was especially busy in the early days when the Cochrane races were on.
