[edit] Before Cochrane was founded, it was already used as a summer camp ground by the indigenous people, and a stopping place for fur traders traveling to Moose Factory. In the early 20th century, the National Transcontinental Railway was built through the area, and in 1907, the place was selected as the junction point with the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway. In November 1908, the lots were sold by auction and a railway town formed.[4] It was incorporated on January 1, 1910, and named for politician and merchant Frank Cochrane, a former mayor of Sudbury. He was Ontario minister of Lands & Forests and federal minister of Railways and Canals in the cabinet of Robert Borden. The settlement was devastated by fire in 1910, 1911, and 1916, but rebuilt each time and became a transportation hub for northern Ontario.[4] After the Reesor Siding Strike of 1963, Cochrane was the site of the trial for 20 Reesor Siding farmers charged with the killing of 3 union employees. The Town of Cochrane amalgamated with the surrounding townships of Glackmeyer and Lamarche to create a newly expanded Town of Cochrane in 2000. Economy[edit] In the 2006 Census, Cochrane had a population of 5,487, a 3.6 percent decrease from the 2001 Census. Like many northern Ontario communities, the population is declining due to lack of employment. The main industries in Cochrane are the transportation, railway, tourism, and forestry. Marginal farming also exists around Cochrane. Though the soil is considered to be of good quality, the growing season is too short to have substantial crop production. Transportation[edit] The Cochrane railway station. Cochrane is situated along Ontario Highway 11. The town is close to the northern end of the road system in the area. The last roads in this part of Ontario end about halfway between Cochrane and Moosonee at Otter Rapids. The Cochrane railway station is operated by the Ontario Northland Railway and serves as the northern terminus of the Northlander which runs six days per week to and from Toronto. It also serves as the southern terminus of the Polar Bear Express which operates five days per week to and from Moosonee. The town is served by the Cochrane Airport, but has no scheduled flights.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:36:47 +0000
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