A little piece of Cochrane that was formed back in 1980 deserves some attention from fellow Cochranites. The Stockmen's Memorial Foundation located at the Cochrane RancheHouse is a gateway into Cochrane's history. From the branding books to the different types of barbed wire to the array of cowboy hats on display, you can certainly spend a good chunk of time here.
Later this month, on Aug. 29, they will be showing an outdoor family movie at the Historic Cochrane Ranche.
"It's not a Canadian Western or an American Western but it is a Western, it's got some great horse scenes and it's trying to bridge that gap. If you're 65 and you want to bring your grandkids, it's a great movie. If you just moved to Cochrane last year and your 30 something with young kids, ok, well, this is something you can take them to and its an evening out." said Scott Grattidge, executive director with the Stockmens Memorial Foundation.
The movie selected is The Man from Snowy River, an Australian Western that, believe it or not, originated from a poem.
Trying to keep a small-town feel in a town that continues to grow is difficult. One way to continue to maintain this relationship is to have people connect to the past and what Cochrane was and its Western background.
The Stockmen's Library will be your one-stop source for all your historic questions. A couple of months ago Teresa Lewis, library coordinator, began "Cowboy Coffee" every Thursday morning at 10 a.m. You can go in, mosey around, check out some artifacts, play some games, and see how interesting this library really is.
So remember to mark the 29th at 7:30 p.m on your calendars. Entry will be by donation and there will be some fair-priced, locally-made sausage and snacks available. Get there early to secure a spot for you and yours and like Grattidge said, "It's about sitting under the stars at the Cochrane Ranche and being on that same land that had Canada's first huge cattle ranch and lease land."
