The Cochrane & District Agricultural Society (CDAS) discovered more than six decades of history that had been lost, after a member uncovered an old newspaper article revealing the society is 106 years old.
“The anniversary was unknown – it got lost during the depression. We thought we were only 42 years old and so I think during the depression, things were probably put to the side and potentially forgotten and somehow the records weren’t continuous,” said CDAS president Kathleen Pack.
“This reinforces the longevity of our organization and the significance for Cochrane and district period.”
Don Hepburn, former CDAS director, discovered the Towers Cup, awarded to the society in 1910 for Best 10 head beef cattle. The cup was created by a renowned silversmith in downtown Calgary, standing at 18 inches and decorated with ornamental antler handles, and was awarded to the CDAS in 1910, 1911 and 1912.
“It is almost like a work of art and really quite amazing at the same time,” Pack said.
According to the press release from the CDAS “further sleuthing at the provincial library, has also revealed that on March 18, 1910, the local paper of the time, the Cochrane Advocate, printed an announcement that the official certificate of the organization of this Society had been received from the Minister of Agriculture: “The first Board of the Cochrane & District Agricultural Society consisted of: C.W. Fisher, A.W. Park, MD, J.G. Tweed, John Cook, Angus McPherson, D.P. McDonald, J.E. Laird, T.S. Fisher, J.G. Creighton, W. Hutchinson, J. Gillies, F. Brown, W. Cook, T. C. Patterson, J. Copithorne, R.J. McNamee, A.J. Murphy and E.J.Calloway.”
“I think the history is important because it can help predict and provide continuity into the future and it also links directly with some pretty predominant names within the community,” Pack said.
Organizers are currently planning a celebration for the 106 anniversary, trying to finalize details but there are talks of having the event during one of the upcoming information sessions.
Documents also revealed the first CDAS Fair was help on Sept. 16-17, 1910.
“This gives us a ton of credibility as an organization that has survived many years, to help create leverage between rural communities and foster leadership within our youth,” Pack said.
The CDAS is currently gathering information and documented pieces of history for its ancestry and is requesting help from any local and surrounding residents who might have more information.
“It is really important for us to start sharing with Cochrane and district, exactly what we do at the ag society and how important it is, for the culture and economic benefit,” Pack said.
To visit the Towers Cup, or if anyone has any information or historical items related to the CDAS, contact the CDAS at [email protected].
