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.
Spanning the Gap: The Mystery Bridge at Ghost Lake
In February of 2023 we published this picture from Big Hill Country. We soon were asked where this bridge was? Do you know?
Kline Family
Great Grandmother Gertrude often stated she was a Pennsylvania Dutch, which indicates the Fenton family originally came from Pennsylvania.
Joseph and Alice Boston
Page 357 Big Hill Country 1977 Joe Boston and his brother came from Cheshire, England, in search of their father, whom they found working on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway line at Canmore. Joe went to work as an engineer on the railroad, then worked in the Canmore mines before homesteading at Grand
James Walker
Who was James Walker? He does have a street in Cochrane named after him. We’ll research his history to tell the story of one of Cochrane and Alberta’s early pioneers
JACK AND TOOTIE POYNTER, HOLLOWOOD RANCH – by Tootie Poynter page 345 Big Hill Country 1977
In the 1930s Jack Poynter worked for Arthur Crawford. While there he broke a number of Arthur’s famous Clydesdale horses. Even the stallion was broke to harness. In the spring of 1938, Jack and I were married at the Nazarene Church in Calgary. With very little money, three saddle horses and lots of ambition we
Henry and Barbara Whitfield Family
He also worked to serve his community. He served as secretary-treasurer of All Saints Anglican Church for 35 years; worked to build Cochrane’s first arena; served on committees for the Big Hill Lodge, and spearheaded the development of Evergreen Manor, an apartment building for seniors. The Chamber of Commerce honoured Dad with a Community Builder Award in 1983 and the Cochrane Legion awarded him a Life Membership for his work on the Manor. The Town of Cochrane named a small park in his honour after his passing.
