As we dip into the archives of the Cochrane Public Library this week, we transport back to the spring of 1971.
The front page of the Northland Post on April 1st featured the first official landing at the not-yet-finished Cochrane airstrip.
It was made by provincial lands and forests minister Rene Brunelle.
Archivist Ardis Proulx-Chedore reads from that article: “The twin-engine Otter landed smoothly, on wheels, although it is outfitted with skis as well. The 36-hundred-foot strip was started in September of 1969 adjacent to Lillabelle Lake.
“Although it wasn’t an international airport reception, M.J. Labelle, contractor for the airstrip; Marc David , acting airport committee chairman; and Cochrane Lands and Forests officials were on hand to greet Mr. Brunelle and his party.”
Construction was at a standstill because the budget was spent. Two applications for more money had been filed with the federal government.
There are thousands and thousands of tidbits of Cochrane history in the library’s archives. All you need to have access to them is a library card.
