Cochrane is a place of business where goods and services are offered to make their people’s lives better. It is a place of culture where individuals from all walks of life bring something unique to the fold. It is a place of nature, where beautiful mountain landscapes, bodies of water, and wildlife can be witnessed. Most of all, Cochrane is home, a place where long-time residents and newcomers alike are welcomed and embraced like family.
Photographer Tim Hall is a fourth-generation Cochranite who has spent most of his life in town.
“My great-grandfather’s house used to sit just above the rodeo grounds, where the Boys and Girls Club is now,” he shared. “I grew up on a farm just north of town, but I attended kindergarten through Grade 12 all in Cochrane.”
Growing up in a town of about 3,000 people, Hall recalls a tight-knit community where “it takes a village to raise a child” wasn’t just a saying-- it was reality.
“You couldn’t even skip school because everybody knew you,” he laughed. “Mom and Dad had a business in town for 35 years. That was kind of the base of operations for us. I grew up riding bikes through the streets ... It was the best childhood ever.”
That deep sense of community, Hall says, is what continues to draw people to Cochrane.
“It hits you instantly, especially coming from a city. There’s something about knowing your neighbours, about those inter-generational relationships we’ve built here over decades. That kind of connection is really attractive.”
He’s also witnessed the town transform from open prairie to a bustling community.
“I saw the first subdivisions pop up in West Valley, then they started moving dirt toward Fireside and other areas. That’s when things really started to grow. Now, people from Ontario are discovering Cochrane and falling in love with the place.”
One of those newcomers is Bina Dutt, a first-generation Torontonian who moved to Cochrane with her family in 2023.
“When we decided to live in Alberta, I wanted to be close to the mountains and have space around us,” she said. “I came to Presidents Hill and saw the view—it just took my breath away. I thought, why look anywhere else when the beauty is right here?”
Dutt immediately noticed the slower pace compared to Toronto’s hustle and bustle.
“People here are laid-back. They’ll smile at you, stop to chat if you have a question. They’re humble, kind—it makes such a difference.”
For Dutt, understanding the local culture and history is part of making Cochrane home.
“It’s important to know the past of your new home,” she explained. “It helps you understand the people and how to engage with them. There’s so much to learn.”
Despite a busy schedule, Dutt has made efforts to get involved—attending book club meetings and participating in the Diwali celebration with Cochrane’s Indian community last year.
“I’d love to attend more events and learn about Cochrane’s history. I can definitely see myself living here long-term.”
While Dutt’s move to Cochrane was driven by opportunity, for Tetiana Prykhodko and her family, it was about refuge. Fleeing the war in Ukraine in 2022, they arrived in Canada searching for safety—and found a warm welcome in Cochrane.
“I posted in a Cochrane Facebook group about needing a place to rent, and I was overwhelmed by the number of people offering help,” she said. “Someone even picked us up from the airport.”
From housing to community connection, Cochrane quickly became a place of support and stability.
“You feel like a dignified person here,” she said. “People make you feel welcomed and that your concerns matter. That was a great feeling.”
Since settling in, Prykhodko has become an active community member. After volunteering for Culture Fest, representing Ukraine, she helped establish the Ukrainian Association of Cochrane, a cultural group aimed at fostering community ties.
“As president of the association, I want more people to get involved. We volunteer, take part in events, and collaborate with other groups like the Filipino and Black Cochrane communities.”
The association also looks to bridge cultural understanding.
“While we share our Ukrainian culture, we also want to learn about Cochrane’s history and customs,” said Prykhodko. “We’re open to collaborations-- maybe organize educational events to learn more about our new home.”
Whether it’s a fourth-generation local like Tim Hall, a recent Ontario transplant like Bina Dutt, or a newcomer seeking safety like Tetiana Prykhodko, one thing is clear: people find home in Cochrane.
Now 122 years old, the once-small ranching town continues to grow and evolve. And while the faces may change, the town’s enduring sense of community ensures its spirit remains intact.
As Cochrane looks to the future, today’s newcomers will become tomorrow’s community builders by helping to carry forward the welcoming legacy that defines “how the west is now.”
