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| Geography | The Village of Cochin is located on Highway #4, 30 kilometres (kms) north of North Battleford. Nestled among the rolling hills and scenic lakes of North Central Saskatchewan, the summer resort is a favorite vacation spot for campers, golfers, beachcombers, and sport fishing enthusiasts.
| | History | The Village of Cochin is named after Father Louis Cochin, a pioneer Catholic missionary and founder of the Thunderchild Mission (1884). For many years Father Cochin resided with the Cree Indians and wintered on the shores of Jackfish Lake. He is best remembered as the priest who ministered to Poundmaker's Band during the North West Rebellion of 1885 and is credited as the 'go-between' when Poundmaker and Major-General Middleton negotiated the surrender of Poundmaker.
The historic Cochin-Green Lake Trail is located 4.5 kms south of Cochin and stretches 150 kms north to the Hudson Bay post at Green Lake. While serving as a travel route for the Fur Trade Industry, it also connected the Cochin Mission to Indian settlements at Birch Lake and Chitek Lake. In 1885, the Trail was crossed by troops pursuing rebellious Indian Bands under Big Bear.
| | Economic Information | Cochin's economy is based mainly on tourism and agriculture. The resident population is 264 and increases during the summer months with seasonal residents, vacationers, and visitors.
| | Attractions | The famous Cochin Lighthouse with its rotating beacon light is perched atop Pirot's Hill on the northern side of Cochin. As a major tourist attraction, visitors hike 158 steps to reach the top of the 11.5-metre structure and the observation deck. In true lighthouse fashion, its rotating beacon light is visible for miles around. Serving no seafaring purpose, the lighthouse is a fascinating landmark on the prairies providing a spectacular view of the many lakes, beaches, and resorts in the area.
Tom Archdekin, the first Mayor of Cochin, initiated construction of the lighthouse as a tourism project in 1988. On November 23, 1988, a committee was formed to plan the prairie structure. Enthusiastically supported by the Village Council, the Provincial Community Tourism Assistance Program, and the Pirot family the project received approval in March of 1989. Don Pirot, landowner, requested that the 150-foot land rise lighthouse site be named Pirot Hill. With a collective effort and in the true spirit of 'community', local residents erected the magnificent structure and built a walkway to the Cochin Lighthouse. It is the only lighthouse to be found in Saskatchewan.
Camping, fishing, boating, hiking, golfing, and annual ball tournaments are other popular activities in the community.
| | Other Info | Amenities in the community include hotel, bed and breakfast accommodations, restaurants, grocery store, shops, service station, two churches, community hall, fire hall, Cochin Branch Library with CAP Internet Access Site, campgrounds, and near-by regional and provincial parks.
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