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.
The Rural One Room School
In some cases plans to form a school district faced stiff opposition. Bachelors living in an area feared that the establishment of a school district would raise their taxes and, as a result of apparent short sightedness they would oppose the education committee’s plan.
Son of London Banker T.C. Fooks
Tom Fooks joined the Air Force at the beginning of the Second World War. He has since disappeared and no one knows his whereabouts.
William “Bill” James Scott Family
Bill attended Glendale School from grade one to eight, riding down Glendale Road, back and forth with companion students, Bob Norris, Dennis, Bill and Shirley Wearmouth , his aunt Rose and the MacKenzie brothers walking alongside.
Christmas Greetings 2025
It’s always fascinating to look back through old issues of the Cochrane Advocate. This December 1916 edition offers a wonderful glimpse into how our community celebrated the Christmas season over a century ago — the ads, local notices, and small-town stories really bring the era to life.
George and Gwen Connon
He was offered the job of Farm Manager at Spy Hill Gaol, which wasn’t even built then. There were two big farm homes there. We lived in one and had 10 inmates in the other along with a guard.
William Duncan Kerfoot killed at Ortona
I have often wondered what would make a Canadian cowboy want to fight so many thousand miles away from home and how that one snipers bullet changed so much. I wish these plaques were rare but they aren’t. “
