Imagery on the bills captures elements of Cochrane’s character, celebrates our cultural and western heritage, our creative spirit, diversity and local landmarks.
All of the images on the Cochrane Dollars were chosen through a lengthy process that included local historians and members of community groups, public input through online voting, technical considerations due to available image quality, and input from the three primary partners in this project.
C$1: “Vision”
Senator James Matthew Henry Cochrane
Cochrane was named after Senator Matthew Henry Cochrane, the man who established the Cochrane Ranche in 1881. The Canadian Pacific Railway granted the town site in 1885 and named it in honour of Senator Cochrane.
Men of Vision statue
This statue of a cowboy on horseback overlooks the Cochrane Ranche Historic Site. It was commissioned in honour of the working cowboy of the early ranching days in the area. It was sculpted by local rancher and sculptor, Malcolm “Mac” MacKenzie.
C$2: “Family Business”
James and Christina Mackay
In 1946, this bright young entrepreneurial couple took over the local general store and started making ice cream in the back in 1948 to expand business. They moved ice cream production to a separate building in 1977 but still serve scoops in the original general store location on Cochrane’s main street today. Still in family hands, the shop attracts local ice cream lovers, day-trippers and visitors from around the world.
Historic Main Street
The buildings and businesses that line Cochrane’s Historic Main Street pay homage to the spirit and perseverance of family-run businesses. The storefronts feature architectural styles from Cochrane’s past, some with the original building name still on display. Many of Cochrane’s unique shops and restaurants on Main Street are new, but family-owned and operated.
Legacy Statue
Cochrane sculptors Don and Shirley Begg created this bronze of a woman feeding chickens as a tribute to prairie farm women and contributions to the social fabric of our community. The names on the statue are real women who represent generations of women whose hard work laid the foundation for the life of this community.
C$5: “First Nations; Nature”
Chief Walking Buffalo
Walking Buffalo was born in Morley in 1871 and died in 1967. In his 96 years, Walking Buffalo worked tirelessly to promote forgiveness, peace and understanding among all peoples. He travelled the world with a message that still resonates: “Stop hating each other and start being brothers the way the Great Spirit intended.”
Grandfather Tree
This white spruce is estimated to be over 300 years old and would already have been fully grown when the Cochrane Ranche was established. Its large root system grows down to reach water, as well as up to support the weight of the tree. There is a lack of undergrowth around the tree because of the amount of shade and acidity in the soil.
C$10: “ Community”
Dr. Andrew Walter Park
Dr. Park, born in 1879, was Cochrane’s first resident doctor. He served Cochrane and the surrounding area, as well as the Morley Indian Reserve. When he and his new bride built a house in Cochrane, they added a wing for a small hospital. Dr. Park visited patients on horseback, then horse and buggy and later bought one of the first cars in Cochrane.
Image of Dr. Park used courtesy of the Royal Alberta Museum.
Bow River
The Bow River and river valley in general helps define Cochrane and contributes to the rich and varied lifestyle we enjoy. The river feels like a part of the community: residents and visitors alike walk along it, view it from their windows and enjoy for wind sports, canoeing, fishing and other adventure activities.
C$20: ”Legacy Values”
Clarence Copithorne
The youngest son of Richard and Sophia Copithorne, one of the area’s earliest pioneer families, Clarence Copithorne was born in Cochrane’s first hospital. He was a rancher and community organizer, elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta (1967-1975), and a cabinet minister for Peter Lougheed (1971-1975). When he retired from politics, he formed the Cochrane Ranche Historical Society and was instrumental in getting the Ranche designated as a historic site.
Rodeo in Cochrane
Known as a “cowboy’s cowboy,” Norman Frank Edge was born in 1904 to William and Sara Edge who were among Cochrane’s earliest settlers. He won many local rodeo titles before competing at the Calgary Stampede. He also represented Cochrane in rodeo events in Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, the United States and even the United Kingdom. Rodeos are still held in Cochrane today.
C$150: “Art and Culture” Non-circulating, limited edition note to celebrate Canada’s 150 birthday
This commemorative note has been printed in the very limited print run of 2017 units. The serial numbers for this bill all begin with the digits 150xxxx.
This limited print run, the numbering and the contributions of local artists to the front and back of this bill, make it a fitting commemorative bill to be collected or given as a gift to remember the 150th year of Canada as a nation.
Senator James Matthew Henry Cochrane
Painted by J. Scot Paisley, Cochrane portrait artist.
Cochrane was named after Senator Matthew Henry Cochrane, the man who established the Cochrane Ranche in 1881. The Canadian Pacific Railway granted the town site in 1885 and named it in honour of Senator Cochrane.
The Palliser Range
Painted by Glen Boles, Cochrane mountain artist.
This painting shows the rolling hills with the Palliser range of mountains in the background, as they are visible from the Town of Cochrane.