Cochrane Historical Museum

05/30/2026

The country castle (Retreat) was a beautiful place, and the saskatoons that grew on the hills, I can just taste them now! I would dearly love to climb those hills and pick berries again.

Memories - CHAPS

The theatre was in the Elks' Hall and the movie was usually a surprise; it seldom showed the picture that was advertised, there were always breakdowns, but when you heard a cheer from the audience, especially the younger folk, the show would flash on and it was well worth waiting…

05/23/2026

📸 HELP US SOLVE A LOCAL HISTORY MYSTERY 📸

We’re looking for more information about this tragic newspaper clipping featuring Mrs. Ralph Rueger, a Calgary woman who was killed by a train near Seebe in what appears to be the late 1940s or early 1950s.

The article states that Mrs. Rueger was standing on a railway bridge watching her husband fish when she was struck by a CPR passenger train near Seebe. She was only 26 years old and left behind her husband Ralph and young son Kelvin James.

We would love to learn more about:

• The exact date of the accident
• Where the railway bridge was located near Seebe
• Any family connections to the Rueger or Riebel families
• Memories, photographs, or additional newspaper articles
• Information about fishing, railway activity, or travel in the Seebe area at the time

Stories like this help preserve the human history of our Bow Valley communities and the people who lived, worked, and travelled here.

If you have any information, please comment below or contact CHAPS or the Cochrane Historical Museum.

05/23/2026

Around 1909, they needed more storage and the brick part of the store was built. About this time a petition for a Post Office was presented with the name Bottrel submitted and accepted.

Bottrel Store - CHAPS

Ollie remembered the hardships of hauling groceries after snow falls, plowing through snow that was higher than a cattle truck and also getting home with a load of groceries after a rain. There was very little gravel on the roads and they were not built up.

05/22/2026

A wonderful evening at the Cochrane Historical Museum as members and guests gathered for Gordon Davies’ presentation, The Social Life of Cochrane in the Early Days.

The room was full as attendees enjoyed stories, memories, and fascinating glimpses into how Cochrane residents connected, celebrated, and built community in years gone by. Thank you to Gordon for sharing his research and passion for local history, and to everyone who came out to support CHAPS and the Museum.

It’s evenings like this that keep Cochrane’s history alive and bring our community together.

05/16/2026

A big thank you to Cochrane Home Treasures. Cochrane Home Treasures

05/16/2026

Wes’ s savings from a combination of a generous army salary of $1.00 per day, together with his sideline business of cutting his fellow soldiers’ hair, and a loan from the Veteran’s Land Act, provided Wes with enough money to buy the farm from his parents, Heywood and Maude Birchall.

Birchall Family - CHAPS

Often times the only money we would have for buying groceries would be the proceeds of selling a few dozen eggs. We had a lot of hail in the fifties. On one occasion after a heavy hailstorm, we were sick to see many hens lying lifeless in the yard. In…

05/16/2026

Even with the snow falling, it’s opening weekend at the Cochrane Historical Museum! ❄️🏛️

Step inside and explore the stories, photographs, artifacts, and memories that helped shape Cochrane and the surrounding area. From ranching roots to community celebrations, there’s always something new to discover.

📅 Summer Hours
May 16 – September 7, 2026
Wednesday–Sunday + Holiday Mondays
🕛 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Whether you’re a longtime local or just visiting, we’d love to welcome you this season — snowflakes and all!

05/09/2026

Step back in time with us at the next Members meeting of the Cochrane Historical Museum!

Join us on Wednesday, May 20th at 7:00 pm at the Cochrane Historical Museum for an evening exploring The Social Life of Cochrane in the Early Days presented by Gordon Davies.

Discover stories of community gatherings, celebrations, dances, and the people who helped shape early Cochrane life. Whether you’re a longtime history enthusiast or simply curious about our town’s past, everyone is welcome to attend.

📍 Cochrane Historical Museum
📅 Wednesday, May 20
🕖 7:00 pm

Bring a friend and enjoy an evening of local history and conversation!

05/09/2026

He would often relate stories about a particular bull or cow that had a bit of a mean streak in them. The animals occasionally kept the neighboring townsiters (as he would call them) from the Guy Gibson hamlet of Benchlands, up a tree all afternoon.

Richard Butters Family - CHAPS

pg 348 More Big Hill Country 2009 Richard Butters was born on February 19, 1922 and was the only son of Gordon and Ester Butters. He spent most of his early years on the farm of his parents near the hamlet of Conrich, east of Calgary, where he demonstrated his…

05/02/2026

I belonged to the choir and C.G .I.T. of St. Andrew’s United Church, the choir being under the very capable direction of Miriam Callaway. One of our highlights was singing “The Hallelujah Chorus” at a C.G.I.T. gathering in Knox United Church in Calgary. Miriam’s primary classes always took top place in the Kiwanis Music Festival.

Shirley Klassen Dianne Klassen - CHAPS

I remember Dewey Blaney, Nick Cosis, Yee Lee's Laundry, Brodie's Barber Shop, the brickyard and creamery, Dave Murray's blacksmith shop, George Bunney's milk delivery by horse and wagon.