2016 Cochrane Visitor Guide - Alternate Routes

More documents

Recommendations

Info

In 2014, a major Cochrane landmark found a new home! The Thomas Davies residence was moved from its original location on the 1A Highway to the Cochrane Ranche Historic Site. The Thomas Davies family arrived in Cochrane from their home in Gower, South Wales. The boat docked in Quebec City, and they came by train to Cochrane. The family took out a homestead on a quarter section of land in the Horse Creek area and a small one-roomed shack was built. In 1909, it was decided to build a home in the village of Cochrane using lumber from the Quigley sawmill and bricks from Collins’ brickyard. The home was built by Thomas Davies and his sons and son-in-law John Beynon, Sr. Cochrane has achieved historical significance, becoming renowned for the quality of it’s ‘yellow brick’, used for many Calgary buildings and residences following major fires in Calgary in the late 19th century. Dr. Andrew Park, Cochrane’s resident doctor at the time, felt that there was a need for a hospital in Cochrane, and Thomas was persuaded to build his townhome a bit larger so part of it could be used for hospital patients. Five rooms were set aside for this purpose. The hospital opened in 1910 and Mrs. Margaret Davies was the matron, assisted by her daughter Annie Beynon, a trained nurse. In 1912, the Duke of Connaught, son of Queen Victoria, then Governor General of Canada, arrived in Cochrane to go camping in the Ghost River area. However, because of huge rains the camping trip was postponed and he remained in Cochrane for a couple of days. At one point, he went to visit the hospital much to the surprise of Mrs. Davies and staff and appeared pleased with what he saw. Mrs. Davies and staff were surprised and caught off-guard by the visit but were pleased to meet the Governor General and receive his encouragement of their endeavour. In 1915, Mrs. Davies became ill and was unable to carry on. Her daughter Annie had gone to England to nurse her husband, John Beynon, Sr. who had been wounded in World War I. The residence continued to operate as a nursing home/maternity hospital for some time after. Around 1930 Edgar and Ruth Davies moved into the home, eventually purchasing it from the rest of the Davies family, and owning it until 1977. A series of owners ensued. Destined to be demolished, the old hospital was threatened with destruction due to the expansion plans for Hwy. 1A and the realignment of 4th Ave. The Cochrane Historical and Archival Preservation Society (CHAPS) gained ownership the residence in 2012. After extensive consultations with Alberta Culture, the building has now been relocated to a permanent foundation becoming a feature of the Cochrane Ranche Historic Site. Story: John Thomson and Gord Davies Photos: Glenbow Museum & Archives (above); John Thomson (right, below) Longtime Cochrane resident, Gordon Davies, a descendant of Thomas Davies and president of CHAPS, says the organization is committed to identify, preserve, protect, and educate the public about historically significant properties and buildings in Cochrane. Davies says 25 per cent of Cochrane’s historic buildings have disappeared since the town’s centennial in 2003. The Thomas Davies residence relocation is their inaugural project. CHAPS plans to use the residence as a seasonal museum, and the group is aiming to open the museum this summer. CHAPS is now looking for old photos, as well as newspaper clippings and other printed items for their collection. Davies estimates they have roughly a 1,000 pictures already. Davies said that while he lacks a medical background, one of the donors is a doctor, who should be able to provide insight on some of the items collected, including turn-of-thecentury medial artifacts. Once the yellow Cochrane bricks are reapplied (after being painstakingly removed prior to the move), the home will be winterized and the restoration of the interior can begin. The move and refurbishment of the Thomas Davies residence is seen as a major step in the encouragement of retaining the existing historic properties in Cochrane. Now in its 103rd year, this properties’ new lease on life is just the beginning! 44 | alternate routes - the cochrane guide
Historical Plaques Take a walking tour of Historic Downtown Cochrane and visit eight historical plaques. Seven of the eight plaques can be found on First Street, and the eighth can be found outside of the King Solomon Masonic Hall on Centre Ave. Cochrane Ranche Cairn Stop at the cairn in the Cochrane Ranche and learn about the four enterprises that operated on or near the Cochrane Ranche site after the British American Ranch was sold. The plaques commemorate the Collins Brickyard, Beynon-Davies Dairy Farm, Cochrane Creamery and Duncan Shelley Stone Quarry. Big Hill Country Thanks to the tireless efforts of CHAPS members, three volumes of Big Hill Country have been published to record the local histories of Cochrane and the surrounding area. Copies are available at the Nan Boothby Memorial Library, and are a great resource to learn about the local families, businesses and lifestyle of Cochrane’s early days. Community History Books | Cowboy Poetry & Novels Western Histories of Ranchers & Ranches Historical & Agricultural Periodicals | Stud Books Western Art - Bronzes & Paintings Historical Artifacts - Saddles, Branding Irons & Barbed Wire cochrane-tourism.ca | 45
Page 1 and 2: 2015 Cochrane Visitor Guide cochran
Page 3: Home of the Cochrane Outhouse Races
Page 6 and 7: V ! Curling GRIFFIN RD WEST SIDE DR
Page 8 and 9: 8 | alternate routes - the cochrane
Page 10 and 11: 10 | alternate routes - the cochran
Page 12 and 13: Alternate Routes Attractions Cochra
Page 14 and 15: Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports C
Page 16 and 17: Five things that a kid can only do
Page 18 and 19: Combine spectacular scenery with a
Page 22 and 23: Cochrane Tourism Association prefer
Page 24 and 25: Destination shopping in quaint bout
Page 34 and 35: Take the alternate route, and disco
Page 36 and 37: 5-6 2nd Annual Fringe on the Ranche
Page 38 and 39: 22 Christmas Market 10am-5pm | Admi
Page 40 and 41: Strange noises, No one will say for
Page 42 and 43: Cochrane Tourism Association The Co
Page 46: Painting by Janet B. Armstrong The

2016 Cochrane Visitor Guide - Alternate Routes

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?