The Founding of Cochrane

For centuries the site of Cochrane was used by indigenous peoples as a summer camping ground. Later it became a stopping place for fur traders en route to Moose Factory. In 1907 the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway (later Ontario Northland) chose “Little Lakes Camping Ground” to be its junction point with the National Transcontinental (later Canadian National). The town site was named for the provincial minister of lands, forests and mines, Frank Cochrane was a strong supporter of northern railway construction. Lots were sold by auction in November, l908, and on January 1, 1910 Cochrane became an incorporated town. Despite devastating fires in 1910, 1911, and 1916, this rail town developed into a vital centre of trade and transportation in northern Ontario.

Depuis des siècles le site occupe par Cochrane servait de camp d’ete aux Amerindiens. Plus tard, il devient une escale sure la route de la traite des fourrures vers Moose Factory. En 1907, le Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway (qui deviendra l’Ontario Northland) choisit le campement des petits lacs comme point de jonction avec la National Transcontinental (qui deviendra le Canadien National). La ville est nommee en l’honneur du ministre provincial des Terres, Forets et Mines, Frank Cochrane, un ardent defenseur de l’extension ferroviaire dans le Nord. Des lotissements sont vendus a l’encan en Novembre 1908 et le 1er janvier 1910 Cochrane est dotee d’une municipalite. En depit des incendies devastateurs de 1910, 1911 et 1916 cette ville devient un centre vital de commerce et de circulation du nord de l’Ontario.