Cochrane Dollars

Front image: 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.

Reverse image: 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.

Front image: 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.

Reverse image: Historic Main Street and Legacy Statue

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.

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.

Front image: 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.”

Reverse image: 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.

Front image: 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.

Reverse image: 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.

Front image: 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.

Reverse image: 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.

This non-circulating, limited edition note celebrates Canada’s 150th birthday. This commemorative note was printed in a very limited run of 2017 units. The serial numbers for this bill all begin with the digits 150xxxx.

Front image: 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.

Reverse image: 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.

Cochrane Dollars help attract new customers, encourage customer loyalty and support the local economy. If you are interested in accepting Cochrane Dollars, all you have to do is let us know. There are no start-up costs, and any time you need to purchase or exchange Cochrane Dollars, you can do so at ATB’s Cochrane Branch. 

When your business accepts Cochrane Dollars, you can help keep them in circulation by:

• giving Cochrane Dollars as cash back or a bonus on large purchases
• giving Cochrane Dollars as cash back or a bonus on items that would otherwise be on sale
• offering them to customers in their change
• giving them to staff as an incentive
• giving them out as prize money
• using them to locally purchase supplies for your business

• C$1.00 = CAD$1.00, which means the Cochrane Dollars are pegged to the Canadian dollar.
• Cochrane Dollars can be purchased using Canadian dollars (cash or ATB debit card only) at a 1:1 ratio at ATB Financial—the central bank for Cochrane Dollars.
• Cochrane Dollars stand in for Canadian dollars, just as gift certificates.
• If you accumulate more Cochrane Dollars than you can recirculate, you can return Cochrane Dollars to ATB Financial for the equivalent in Canadian dollars; no fees are charged for this transaction.
• There are no fees to business owners or consumers to use Cochrane Dollars.

Cochrane Dollars are among the most secure documents printed anywhere in the world, with hidden security features that surpass even many national currencies. Regardless of security features, we take continuous active measures to protect the security and trust of our bills. As a merchant or consumer it is your responsibility to handle Cochrane Dollars with the same diligence as you handle Canadian dollars.

For more information Cochrane Dollar’s security features, check our security guide or quick reference sheet. 

Think of Cochrane Dollars as store vouchers or gift coupons that we use all the time. Cochrane Dollars are, in practical terms, store vouchers that can be used with participating retailers or with any of your neighbours who would like to support local business and local jobs.

Cochrane Dollars help in many ways. Having a local currency is prestigious, builds community pride and attracts worldwide attention to our community. Locals enjoy keeping their business local and this is one way to focus our attention on our neighbours’ businesses. 

In addition, Cochrane Dollars have a direct impact, as any interest that is generated from the Canadian dollars that accumulate in the account will go to assist local projects.

No. The Canadian dollars in account for Cochrane Dollars will be held indefinitely.