Cochrane Arena, standing since 1974, is a finalist in the Kraft Hockeyville competition, with voting open from March 29-30. The prize is $250,000 for renovations and a chance to host an NHL game. Residents are encouraged to vote and support Cochrane’s bid for the revival of their historic rink. Nicole Henson contributed recent photos for the campaign.
by Wayne Haas; M.D. Bighorn Oral History Project Another video by the Heritage Resource Committee. See the entire Playlist Wayne Haas talks about growing up in Exshaw, community events and more. Remember to like and subscribe to the MD Bighorns YouTube channel. Click Here
At the time Calgary was a city of less than 200,000 people, and its western boundary was 14 Street N. W. Calgarians were attracted to the unique location, a landmark log building sitting some 700 feet above the city with an unparalleled view of Rocky mountain sunsets
The boys all rodeo, as did their father Murray. Baillie steer wrestles in the Pro circuit and also ropes. He has gone to the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton twice and to the Calgary Stampede many times. Baillie and Tanner won the Wild Cow Milking at the Calgary Stampede the last year that the trophy was given out.
In 1910 he ran the livery stable in Cochrane and Stage Coach for passengers and mail to Bottrel and Dog Pound.
When the old-time music was on, we used to take the earphones off the headset and put it in a pail or some other deep dish, and the sound would amplify so that the whole family could hear the music, otherwise just one person son could wear the headset.
Unfortunately, I remember very little of my father. He died when I was quite small, having contracted pneumonia after attending an auction sale. I do remember a few precious things about him that keep his memory close to my heart.
We also had a “Bomb Shelter”. The Government thought the Russians might Nuke us in the 1960’s. And of course, Cochrane, being what they thought was a primary target in Canada, had a Bomb Shelter at the Police Detachment. It was a big culvert buried in our back yard, another totally cool fort.
Times were hard back then; we kept a few chickens and there was always a big garden. Dad worked from 9 a.m. until 1 a.m. nearly every day. A shave was twenty-five cents and a haircut was fifty cents. Dance nights were always busy with men coming in from the country for haircuts, prior to going to the dances.
At the time the Scott Lake Service Station and Restaurant was the only place to get service or something to eat between Calgary and Canmore. It was welcomed by many including the Cochrane and Canmore RCMP who could now stop for a bite to eat and coffee on their long shifts patrolling this new highway.
