Fonds consists of textual, visual and sound materials pertaining to Norman Luxton, Eleanor Luxton and their family members and friends (including Georgina Luxton, Norman's parents and siblings, and members of the Ross, Graham and McDougall families). Includes correspondence, personal and profession…
ca.32.1 m of textual records (29.3 m textual records, 47 scrapbooks) -- ca.7290 photographs (ca.5300 b&w and col. prints, ca.1915 negatives, 75 transparencies, 2 tintypes) -- 17 albums -- ca.74 cm sound recordings (29 CDs, 45 audio cassettes, 17 R120 DAT tapes, 1 VHS, 8 voicewriter discs)
History / Biographical
The Norman Luxton family was a prominent family in Banff, Alberta, Canada from 1904 until 1962. Daughter Eleanor Luxton maintained the family's position in the town until her death in 1995.
Publisher and businessman Norman K. Luxton, 1876-1962, was the son of Winnipeg Free Press co-founder William Luxton. After working for the Winnipeg Free Press, Norman Luxton travelled, then joined the Calgary Herald for eight years. In 1901, he journeyed 10,000 miles on the Pacific in the dug-out canoe Tilikum. After becoming ill, Luxton abandoned the trip in Fiji and came to Banff to recuperate. The around-the-world trip was subsequently completed by his sailing partner, Capt. John Voss.
Luxton bought Banff's Crag and Canyon newspaper in 1902 and remained as publisher until 1951. Also in 1902, he established the Sign of the Goat Curio store which specialized in Stoney Indian handicrafts and taxidermy specimens. Other significant Luxton businesses were the King Edward Hotel and Livery, Luxton Bros. insurance (with brother Louis Luxton) and the Lux Block, which included a hotel, the Lux Theatre and retail stores.
In 1904, Norman Luxton married Georgina (Georgie) Elizabeth McDougall, 1870-1965, of the pioneer missionary McDougall family of Morley, Alberta. In addition to her McDougall connections, Georgie Luxton was related by marriage to Senator George Ross. Norman and Georgie Luxton had one child, Eleanor Georgina, born in Banff in 1908.
The Luxtons were important Banff "boosters" with involvement in numerous local organizations and events. Norman Luxton managed the Banff Indian Days from 1909 to 1950, was a founder of Banff Winter Carnival and was involved with native events at the Calgary Stampede for 25 years. In 1953, Norman established a museum to house his native artifacts. The Luxton Museum was built in co-operation with Eric Harvie of the Glenbow Foundation of Calgary. After Luxton's death, the museum continued to be managed by the Glenbow until 1992.
Eleanor Luxton, 1908-1995, was a writer, historian, researcher, engineer, teacher and business woman. After graduating from high school in Banff in 1926, she attended the University of Alberta from 1926 until 1939, receiving degrees in history (BA '30, MA'33), a Diploma in Education (1931) and subsequent education, biology and natural history courses during the summers.
Between 1937 and 1956, Eleanor received further degrees and certificates from studies at Garbutt Business College (Calgary), St. Stephen's College (Edmonton), Ottawa Technical High School, Havergal Ladies College (Ontario), St. George Williams College (Montreal), McGill University (Montreal) and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Subjects studied included office practices, shorthand, machine draughting, English, civil engineering (BSc '46), German, broadcast writing, management, commerce, accounting and commercial law.
Eleanor Luxton's extensive education overlapped and preceded a long and varied professional career. Her teaching career extended from high school teacher in Alberta (Banff and Sexsmith), 1933-1940, to university lecturer in Montreal in the 1950s. During the 1940s, she worked in locomotive design for the CPR in Montreal. Beginning in 1956 and continuing until 1965, when she returned to Banff to care for her mother, Eleanor worked throughout southern Alberta as a field researcher for Calgary's Glenbow Foundation. From 1965 until her death in 1995, Eleanor remained in Banff in her family home and pursued an active career in writing and research.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of textual, visual and sound materials pertaining to Norman Luxton, Eleanor Luxton and their family members and friends (including Georgina Luxton, Norman's parents and siblings, and members of the Ross, Graham and McDougall families). Includes correspondence, personal and professional records, financial documents, organization and volunteer records, business and property records, scrapbooks and albums, research materials, candid and professional portraits, various collected materials, and other related content.
Notes
Fonds consists of three sous-fonds:
I. Norman Luxton sous-fonds, [ca.1880]-1962, ca. 7.5 m. of textual records and photographs in four series: A. Correspondence, B. Business, financial and legal, C. Personal, D. Personal and professional, E. Collected materials.
II. Eleanor Luxton sous-fonds, [ca.1890]-1995, ca. 15 m. of textual records, sound recordings and photographs in six series: A. Correspondence, B. Professional, C. Personal, D. Business, financial and legal, E. Travel and events, F. Collected materials.
III. Luxton family sous-fonds, 1836-1972, ca.6.5 m. of textual records and photographs in four series: A. Norman Luxton family series, [ca.1900-ca.1970]; B. Georgina Luxton series, [ca.1890]-1967; C. Related family series, [ca.1890]-1972; D. Other material series, 1836-1970; E. Luxton family home records [1996].
Fonds consists of three series: I. Personal, literary and research papers, 1907-ca.1935; II. Mary Schaffer photographs, 1893-ca.1920; II. Other, 1895-1928. I. Papers series consists of four sub-series: A. Correspondence, 1908-1922; B. Literary manuscripts (original and published), 1907-ca.1925; …
35 cm of textual records. -- ca.2025 photographs (ca.1550 transparencies, ca.400 negatives, 75 prints). -- 7 photograph albums (ca.1760 prints)
History / Biographical
Mary Schaffer, 1861-1939, also known as Mary Schaffer Warren, was an American explorer, photographer and artist who visited the Canadian Rockies and Selkirk Mountains frequently beginning in 1888, finally settling in Banff, Alberta in 1912. Born Mary Townsend Sharples to moderately wealthy Quaker parents at West Chester, Pennsylvania, she first visited the Canadian Rockies and Selkirk Mountains in 1888 with her friend Mary Vaux. She returned the following year with her husband, Dr. Charles Schaffer, and until Charles died in 1903, the Schaffers travelled annually to the mountains to study botany. Using Dr. Schaffer's data and her drawings and photographs, Mary Schaffer and Stewardson Brown completed "Alpine flora of the Canadian Rocky Mountains" in 1907.
Schaffer continued to travel in the Canadian mountains, often through remote regions. In 1908, she reached Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta, and returned in 1911 to survey the region. "Old Indian Trails of the Canadian Rockies," 1911, recounts her adventures of 1907 and 1908. Schaffer settled in Banff in 1912 and married her guide, Billy Warren, in 1915.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of three series: I. Personal, literary and research papers, 1907-ca.1935; II. Mary Schaffer photographs, 1893-ca.1920; II. Other, 1895-1928.
I. Papers series consists of four sub-series: A. Correspondence, 1908-1922; B. Literary manuscripts (original and published), 1907-ca.1925; C. Maps of Maligne Lake; D. Other, 1905-ca.1935. Literary manuscripts pertain to the Athabasca River, Maligne Lake, Howse, Yellowhead and Athabasca passes; hunting; Dr. Gilbert Atkin and Nurse Fulcher's medical mission to Ya Ha Tinda Ranch; Banff, Revelstoke BC, Saskatchewan River; Stoney Nakoda; Palliser Expedition; and Mary Schaffer life and activities.
II. Photographs series consists of four sub-series: A. Lantern slides; B. Photograph albums; C. Negatives; D. Prints. Lantern slides pertain to Mary Schaffer's trips to Maligne Lake and Yellowhead Pass, mountain scenics, nature subjects (animals, birds, flowers); and includes Mary Schaffer's lantern slide presentations "In the Heart of the Canadian Rockies", accompanied by scripts; Philip Moore's Indigenous lecture series, mainly copies from books and other graphic sources; and Mary Schaffer's slides of China and Japan. Photograph albums, 1908-ca.1921, pertain mainly to trips in the Canadian Rocky and Selkirk Mountains, especially expeditions to the Yoho and Ptarmigan Valleys, Nakimu Caves, North Saskatchewan River, Wilcox Pass and Maligne Lake. Two albums pertain to travels in Mexico and Asia. Negatives pertain mainly to Schaffer's trips and explorations, Glacier House and environs, alpine flora and fauna, mountain views, portraits, Sampson Beaver family, 1902-1911.
III. Other material series consists of diaries of Molly Adams, 1908, and Mrs. H. H. Sharples, 1911, and original manuscripts and published reports by other writers, 1895-1928.
File consists of one miniature monthly calendar distributed by Wendell MacLean Chemist and Druggist, Calgary. Calendar is attached to a poster with a lithographed colour image of prospector, trader and farmer Sam Livingston.
Samuel Livingston (1831-1897) was born in Ireland, and immigrated to North America as a young man to participate in the California Gold Rush of 1849. Sam continued travelling and panning for gold around the northwestern United States and southern British Columbia area in the 1850s and 1860s. After marrying Jane Howse in 1865, Sam settled near Elbow River and established a buffalo skin trading business. Sam and Jane had 14 children together, including 8 sons and 6 daughters.
In 1876, Sam and his family moved closer to Fort Calgary, where he worked with John Glenn and became one of the first farmers in the area. Sam was a founding director of the Calgary District Agricultural Society in 1884, as well as founding director of the Calgary branch of the Canadian North-West Territories Stock Association in 1886. Sam was also an early trustee for the Glenmore School in 1888.
Scope & Content
File consists of one miniature monthly calendar distributed by Wendell MacLean Chemist and Druggist, Calgary. Calendar is attached to a poster with a lithographed colour image of prospector, trader and farmer Sam Livingston.
File consists of one bound volume containing handwritten notes and tally charts dated 1908. Contents possibly related to early administrative records of the Southern Alberta Pioneers' and Old Timers' Association
File consists of one bound volume containing handwritten notes and tally charts dated 1908. Contents possibly related to early administrative records of the Southern Alberta Pioneers' and Old Timers' Association
Notes
Charts in volume refer to "board" and provide list of names below, with daily checklist. Context not known.
File consists of three textual publications and a subject index booklet for a separate publication [accompanying publication not present in fonds]. Content pertains to the history of the Calgary Herald [ca. 1905]; the Alberta Division Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association; the history of Calgary's…
2 cm of textual records (4 volumes ; 23 x 29.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of three textual publications and a subject index booklet for a separate publication [accompanying publication not present in fonds]. Content pertains to the history of the Calgary Herald [ca. 1905]; the Alberta Division Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association; the history of Calgary's business and financial development; and Alberta's economy.
File consists of 7 published paperback booklets. Contents include 3 copies of "Dr. A.W. Chase's Calendar Almanac" dated 1931, 1933 and 1934 respectively; 2 copies of "Dodd's Almanac and Household Hints" dated 1933 and 1934; one copy of "Things Worth Knowing: Reliable Recipes, Valuable Formulas and …
Published by Murray Printing Co. Ltd.; The Dodds Medicine Co. Ltd.; Dr. Williams Medical Co.; and The W.H. Comstock Co. Ltd
Date Range
[ca. 1895]
1908
1927
1931
1933
1934
Physical Description
2 cm of textual records
Scope & Content
File consists of 7 published paperback booklets. Contents include 3 copies of "Dr. A.W. Chase's Calendar Almanac" dated 1931, 1933 and 1934 respectively; 2 copies of "Dodd's Almanac and Household Hints" dated 1933 and 1934; one copy of "Things Worth Knowing: Reliable Recipes, Valuable Formulas and Methods of Home Treatment for Common Diseases", annotated on the back cover in blue/purple ink with recipe for a health drink.; and one copy of "Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills", stamped "D.C. McDougall Morley, AB" on the back cover.
File consists of information pamphlets and a bound reference handbook. Content pertains to an exhibition at Heinz Ocean Pier in New Jersey featuring the painting "Custer's Last Rally" by artist John Mulvaney; the Kihn-Ten Eyck Art School in Stamford, Connecticut; the art collections of the Henry E.…
1 cm of textual records (5 items ; 15 x 30.5 cm and smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of information pamphlets and a bound reference handbook. Content pertains to an exhibition at Heinz Ocean Pier in New Jersey featuring the painting "Custer's Last Rally" by artist John Mulvaney; the Kihn-Ten Eyck Art School in Stamford, Connecticut; the art collections of the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery in California; "This is the Place Monument" in Salt Lake City; and various community events and a state fair in Minot, North Dakota.
Notes
Handbook is signed "N.K. Luxton" inside front cover
File consists of photographs and postcard prints pertaining to the Ballard family and their travels within England, Western Canada and the United States. Includes images of Jack Ballard[?] and children Sidney and Shirley Ballard; Stonehenge; transport and telegraph stations; foot bridges, hiking, c…
29 photographs : b&w prints ; 16.5 x 10.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of photographs and postcard prints pertaining to the Ballard family and their travels within England, Western Canada and the United States. Includes images of Jack Ballard[?] and children Sidney and Shirley Ballard; Stonehenge; transport and telegraph stations; foot bridges, hiking, canoeing and camping scenes; and the Totem Cafe in Montana.
Locations include: New Iskoot, Aiyanish[?], Echo Lake, 25 Mile Cabin, Yellowstone [Montana], Iron River, and Idaho.
Notes
Some items are dated and/or contain personal letters written on the back.
File consists of photographs pertaining to businesses, tourist attractions and natural views in and around Banff. Includes images of backcountry camps in Banff National Park; the Bow River Boat House; Beaver Lodge and Bampton Cottage [both located on Beaver Street in Banff]; fires at Breton Hall Ho…
50 photographs ; b&w prints ; 25 x 20.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of photographs pertaining to businesses, tourist attractions and natural views in and around Banff. Includes images of backcountry camps in Banff National Park; the Bow River Boat House; Beaver Lodge and Bampton Cottage [both located on Beaver Street in Banff]; fires at Breton Hall Hotel and Banff Springs Hotel; the Park Museum and Information Bureau; early views of Banff Springs Hotel [1904]; Vermillion River Bungalow Camp and the Lake Louise Chalet; Paddy J. Nolan’s home [built by Norman Luxton]; a postcard print titled “Starved Bachelors Retreat Banff Alberta"; swimming at the Cave and Basin[?] and Banff Upper Hot Springs; the Crag and Canyon office [ca.1905]; Skoki Lodge; and the office of photographers Wilson and Fear [1896-1898].
Notes
Photographs LUX/I/D6c/PA-181 and 182 [depicting Wilson and Fear storefront] are copies of the same image but annotated with different dates [ca.1896 and ca.1898]. Based on context and dating of related images in Whyte Museum archives, actual image date may be closer to [ca.1894].
Material Details
LUX/I/D6c/PA-173 has three red sun-shaped stickers attached to back left corner, red ribbon attached to back right corner
File consists of 14 b&w photograph prints [loose and on matboard]. Content pertains to local views near Banff, including Georgina Luxton riding in a carriage along Tunnel Mountain Trail, a hunting trip north of Banff with guide George Harrison[?], the King Edward Hotel building exterior and surroun…
Items LUX/I/D6c/PA-232 and 233 produced by Norman Luxton
Date Range
1904-1905
1910
[ca.1910-1920]
Physical Description
10 photographs : b&w ; 29.5 x 18 cm or smaller -- 4 photographs : b&w prints on matboard ; 35.5 x 14 cm and 25 x 21 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of 14 b&w photograph prints [loose and on matboard]. Content pertains to local views near Banff, including Georgina Luxton riding in a carriage along Tunnel Mountain Trail, a hunting trip north of Banff with guide George Harrison[?], the King Edward Hotel building exterior and surrounding property [1904-1910] and an event hosted in the hotel, and panoramic views of Banff and a waterfront area [Lake Minnewanka?] taken by Norman Luxton.
Items stored in three file folders: PA-220 to 222 [Tunnel Mountain Trail and hunting trip]; PA-223 to 231 [King Edward Hotel]; and PA-232 to 233 [Banff & area panoramas]
File consists of 59 photographs collected by Eleanor Luxton as research material for the book Banff: Canada's First National Park. Images pertain to skiing and ski jumping, canoeing, Banff Indian Days, the King Edward Hotel, swimming at the Cave and Basin, the Banff Winter Carnival, wildlife, and v…
59 photographs : b&w prints ; 20 x 25 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 59 photographs collected by Eleanor Luxton as research material for the book Banff: Canada's First National Park. Images pertain to skiing and ski jumping, canoeing, Banff Indian Days, the King Edward Hotel, swimming at the Cave and Basin, the Banff Winter Carnival, wildlife, and various views in and around the town of Banff.
File consists of photograph prints depicting members of the Banff Gun Club, including Norman Luxton. Photographs pertain to local hunting excursions including the Lake Louise area and canyon views; interior views of the Banff Gun Club building including a fireplace built by Norman Luxton [1924]; tr…
File consists of photograph prints depicting members of the Banff Gun Club, including Norman Luxton. Photographs pertain to local hunting excursions including the Lake Louise area and canyon views; interior views of the Banff Gun Club building including a fireplace built by Norman Luxton [1924]; trap shooting at a gun range in Banff; and Norman Luxton posing with pet dogs [including “Barney”], and with other Gun Club members [including L.C. Brown, W. Miller, J. Sturdy, L.C. Braken, and “McKenzie”]. Most individuals in photographs are not named.
Notes
File contains multiple duplicates
Items LUX/I/D3d/PA-1 to 17 developed by company Byron Harmon Photography; original storage envelope kept in file with prints
File consists of b&w photograph negatives pertaining to the Banff Gun Club and trap shooting. Photographs depict Banff, Lake Louise, mountain sheep, and an unidentified woman standing in a canyon.
File consists of b&w photograph negatives pertaining to the Banff Gun Club and trap shooting. Photographs depict Banff, Lake Louise, mountain sheep, and an unidentified woman standing in a canyon.
Files consists of panorama photograph prints and negatives of Banff Indian Days, camps, a log cabin and staged battle scenes with unidentified people. Some photos have copy prints. Included is a Kodak Iris paper envelope with annotations.
Date Range
1907
[ca.1910s]
1913
1915
Reference Code
LUX / I / D3a / 12 / NA - 45 to NA - 54
LUX / I / D3a / 12 / PA - 1 to PA - 9
19 photograph : 10 b&w negatives ; 30.2 x 9.8 cm : 9 b&w photographs ; 30.2 x 10 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
Files consists of panorama photograph prints and negatives of Banff Indian Days, camps, a log cabin and staged battle scenes with unidentified people. Some photos have copy prints. Included is a Kodak Iris paper envelope with annotations.
File consists of Banff Indian Days negatives and photographs depicting parades, trail rides, interior of the Sign of the Goat Curio Shop, opera rehearsal at the ballroom at the Banff Springs Hotel and field dressing of bison. Subjects include Job Stevens and his wife, unidentified Indigenous famili…
Date Range
1902
ca.1913
1915-1918
1921
ca.1925
1926-1927
ca.1930-1940
ca.1950-1960
Reference Code
LUX / I / D3a / 14 / NA - 01 to NA - 70
LUX / I / D3a / 14 / PA - 01 to PA - 49
Some photographs produced by F. Gully and Kilroy Harris
Date Range
1902
ca.1913
1915-1918
1921
ca.1925
1926-1927
ca.1930-1940
ca.1950-1960
Physical Description
119 photographs : 70 b&w negatives ; 15.5 x 19.5 cm or smaller : 49 b&w prints ; 25.2 x 20.8 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of Banff Indian Days negatives and photographs depicting parades, trail rides, interior of the Sign of the Goat Curio Shop, opera rehearsal at the ballroom at the Banff Springs Hotel and field dressing of bison. Subjects include Job Stevens and his wife, unidentified Indigenous families and individuals, and Norman Luxton. Photographs taken by F. Gully, Kilroy Harris, and potentially Carl Rungus.
Notes
George Noble film processing slip potentionally associated with NA-14 and NA-15. Stamped and annotations made by photographer or image compilers.
File consists of Banff Indian Days photographs and negatives depicting identified and unidentifed Indigenous individuals and families primarily in Banff. Photographs depict studio and environmental portraits, parades, events at the Banff Springs Hotel, 1944 Stampede, and ceremonies. There is a trip…
Date Range
1902
1913
1923
1926
1927
1932
1934
1939
1941
1944
1948
1950
[ca. 1950s]
Reference Code
LUX / I / D3a / 15 / NA - 01 to NA - 02
LUX / I / D3a / 15 / PA - 001 to PA - 108
Photographs are produced by J.G. Noble, F. Gully, Ernest A. Kehr, C.P.R. Photo, International Photographic Services Banff Springs Hotel, Western Ways Tucson, Associated Screen Limited and potentionally Byron Harmon.
Date Range
1902
1913
1923
1926
1927
1932
1934
1939
1941
1944
1948
1950
[ca. 1950s]
Physical Description
110 photographs : 2 b&w negatives ; 12 x 16 cm or smaller : 108 b&w prints ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of Banff Indian Days photographs and negatives depicting identified and unidentifed Indigenous individuals and families primarily in Banff. Photographs depict studio and environmental portraits, parades, events at the Banff Springs Hotel, 1944 Stampede, and ceremonies. There is a triptych of Ludwig "Big Chief" Banjo purchased by Clifford White from the Western Music Supply Co. Subjects include Enos Hunter, Nat Hunter, George Kaquitts, Tom Kaquitts Jacob Twoyoungmen, Hector Crawler, Ernest Kehr and others. Photographs are taken by J.G. Noble, F. Gully, Ernest A. Kehr, C.P.R. Photo, and potentionally Byron Harmon.
Notes
Some of the photographs have typed or handwritten annotations, photographer copyright stamps, and copyright embossing and debossing of early 20th century prints. PA-83,84,85 and 90 and may show government officials from Tasmania including John Francis Gaha.
PA-88 includes a copy negative. NA-01 has a copy print. Some prints or negatives have processing slip or enlargement requests.
PA-26 may have been used as a reference for Banff Indian Days poster drawn by Palenske, LUX / I / D3 / 8