Stockmen's is your local centre for cowboy culture!
Take some time and your visit and immerse yourself in the history of the men and women who started ranching in western Canada almost 150 years ago. The treasure-trove of western memorabilia is tucked into a sunlit high-ceilinged room on the west end of the Cochrane RancheHouse and houses a wealth of well-worn saddles, many different designs of spurs and horseshoes, literally hundreds of examples of barbed wire, and more than 19,000 books and magazines showcase Alberta’s livestock culture. Vintage cowboy hats adorn the wooden beams looking down on cowboy art from murals and paintings to bronze castings, including a bust of legendary cattleman, Bert Sheppard, the library’s namesake.
Take a step back in time and imagine yourself settling on the prairies. The Tartan of the Prairies — Stockmen's Branding Experience will take you on a historical journey of land purchase, history of the area, and the creation of your very own brand. The library is filled with branding irons, so you're sure to find ones that bring your idea to life. The staff will then heat the irons to imprint your brand on a piece of wood to take home as a souvenir. How’s that for a western cowboy howdy!