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].
Records in this series relate to Eleanor Luxton's business, legal and financial activities and consist of banking records; income tax returns; correspondence and invoices related to property and building construction, maintenance and management; household receipts; medical receipts; commercial and …
4.8 m textual records -- oversize materials -- 31 photographs (15 prints, 16 negatives)
Scope & Content
Records in this series relate to Eleanor Luxton's business, legal and financial activities and consist of banking records; income tax returns; correspondence and invoices related to property and building construction, maintenance and management; household receipts; medical receipts; commercial and residential leases; insurance; investments; donations; rentals; legal papers relating to the estate of Annie McDougall and May Ross McDougall; mortgage papers; Parks Canada Lease agreements and need to reside challenge; Eleanor Luxton's living will.
Notes
Contents arranged by subject - see file level descriptions
File consists of photographs, mostly child and baby portraits, which were given to Eleanor Luxton. Includes images of Eleanor riding a car in a parade, and Eleanor posing with children Chelsea and Ashley Nickles.
14 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 16 x 22.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of photographs, mostly child and baby portraits, which were given to Eleanor Luxton. Includes images of Eleanor riding a car in a parade, and Eleanor posing with children Chelsea and Ashley Nickles.
File consists of 10 photographs collected by member(s) of the Luxton family. Photographs depict children fishing and attending school, two pictures from the wedding of Hugh Lee, Eleanor Luxton and friends in Quebec [ca.1990], and a portrait of an unidentified RCMP officer.
10 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 23 x 28 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 10 photographs collected by member(s) of the Luxton family. Photographs depict children fishing and attending school, two pictures from the wedding of Hugh Lee, Eleanor Luxton and friends in Quebec [ca.1990], and a portrait of an unidentified RCMP officer.
File consists of copy photographs from the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies which were collected by Eleanor Luxton for research purposes. Content pertains to early views of Banff and local businesses and views, including: various views of Banff Avenue; the Bow River Boathouse; the Frank Lloyd W…
Photographs copied from original materials owned by the Whyte Museum
Date Range
[ca.1887-1930]
Physical Description
53 photographs : b&w prints ; 17.5 x 12.5 cm and 25 x 20 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of copy photographs from the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies which were collected by Eleanor Luxton for research purposes. Content pertains to early views of Banff and local businesses and views, including: various views of Banff Avenue; the Bow River Boathouse; the Frank Lloyd Wright Pavilion; Norman Luxton and coworkers outside of the Crag and Canyon; Banff Indian Days and Banff Winter Carnival events; trap shooting, cross country skiing, skating and other sports; dog sled and hiking trips; and related subjects.
Notes
Prints LUX/II/B5/PA-124 to 159 originally accompanied by b&w copy negatives (9.5 x 12 cm) in yellow envelope; negatives have been stored separately and numbered as items LUX / II / B5 / NA - 83 to 118.
File consists of copy negatives of images from the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies which were collected by Eleanor Luxton for research purposes. Content pertains to early views of Banff and local businesses, including: Norman Luxton and coworkers outside of the Crag and Canyon; Banff Indian Da…
Photographs copied from original materials owned by the Whyte Museum
Date Range
[ca.1900-1930]
Physical Description
36 photographs : b&w negatives ; 9.5 x 12 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of copy negatives of images from the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies which were collected by Eleanor Luxton for research purposes. Content pertains to early views of Banff and local businesses, including: Norman Luxton and coworkers outside of the Crag and Canyon; Banff Indian Days and Banff Winter Carnival events; trap shooting, cross country skiing, skating and other sports; dog sled and hiking trips; and related subjects.
Notes
Original print copies processed and stored separately as LUX/II/B5/PA-124 to 159
File consists of one colour photograph depicting Eleanor Luxton and an unidentified friend, smiling and standing in a doorway (possibly the Luxton family home, 206 Beaver St. in Banff).
File consists of one colour photograph depicting Eleanor Luxton and an unidentified friend, smiling and standing in a doorway (possibly the Luxton family home, 206 Beaver St. in Banff).
Notes
Photograph is annotated on back: "[?] thank you Miss Luxton"
File consists of 16 photographs pertaining to Eleanor Luxton and various family friends. Photographs depict school and holiday photographs of several children which were sent to Eleanor, as well as images of Eleanor visiting with friends and one group photograph of Eleanor and other attendees at Ge…
16 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 16 x 23 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 16 photographs pertaining to Eleanor Luxton and various family friends. Photographs depict school and holiday photographs of several children which were sent to Eleanor, as well as images of Eleanor visiting with friends and one group photograph of Eleanor and other attendees at Georgina Luxton's funeral.
File consists of portraits and candid photographs of Eleanor Luxton between ca.1950 and 1980. Includes professional photographs and images of Eleanor participating in Banff Indian Days celebrations.
Photographs produced by Matthews Photo Lab (Calgary) and Ernest Kehr
Date Range
[1950-1960]
1958
1965
1975
[1975-1980]
Physical Description
19 photographs : b&w and col prints ; 18.5 x 26 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of portraits and candid photographs of Eleanor Luxton between ca.1950 and 1980. Includes professional photographs and images of Eleanor participating in Banff Indian Days celebrations.
Notes
Some items in file accompanied by original envelopes.
PA-956 is accompanied by a note stating a copy negative was made in 1988
File consists of 4 photographs pertaining to Eleanor Luxton. Includes a high school or university graduation portrait, Eleanor as a young woman standing outside of the Luxton family home in Banff, Eleanor laying down (possibly in a hospital room), and Eleanor sitting at a table in a restaurant.
4 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 9 x 11 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 4 photographs pertaining to Eleanor Luxton. Includes a high school or university graduation portrait, Eleanor as a young woman standing outside of the Luxton family home in Banff, Eleanor laying down (possibly in a hospital room), and Eleanor sitting at a table in a restaurant.
File consists of 35 photographs sent to Eleanor Luxton by various friends and family between 1957 and 1990. Includes family photographs, child portraits, interior views of the Luxton family home, and a photograph of Norman Luxton posing with his brothers Louis and George Luxton and two of Norman's …
35 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 25.5 x 17.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 35 photographs sent to Eleanor Luxton by various friends and family between 1957 and 1990. Includes family photographs, child portraits, interior views of the Luxton family home, and a photograph of Norman Luxton posing with his brothers Louis and George Luxton and two of Norman's dogs.
Notes
Some photographs in file are accompanied by scanned copies of original letters sent to Eleanor Luxton with photographs.
File consists of 285 col. prints [including one small photograph album] depicting Eleanor Luxton and various friends and family members, including members of the Cooper, Miller, O'Connor, Smith, Kunst, Swan and Nickles families. Photographs pertain to family reunions, weddings, Christmas holiday ce…
File consists of 285 col. prints [including one small photograph album] depicting Eleanor Luxton and various friends and family members, including members of the Cooper, Miller, O'Connor, Smith, Kunst, Swan and Nickles families. Photographs pertain to family reunions, weddings, Christmas holiday celebrations [including a 1967 New Years party at the Luxton family home], school portraits, family trips within Canada and the United States, child and newborn portraits, and other related subjects. Items LUX / II / E / PA - 310 to 335 are stored in a miniature photo album. Several photographs are stored with corresponding holiday greeting cards which were sent to Eleanor Luxton.
Notes
Some individuals in photographs are not identified; many photographs are not dated
File pertains to 120 b&w prints of various historical topics, some photos taken by Bruno Engler, others collected [presumably] by him. Includes various Canadian Pacific Railway events, community events and celebrations, Skoki Lodge's 60th anniversary, the Norquay Ski Hill rope-tow, the 1968 Winter …
File pertains to 120 b&w prints of various historical topics, some photos taken by Bruno Engler, others collected [presumably] by him. Includes various Canadian Pacific Railway events, community events and celebrations, Skoki Lodge's 60th anniversary, the Norquay Ski Hill rope-tow, the 1968 Winter Olympics bid, Princess Margarite's [sic] visit in 1958, the Cosmic Ray Observatory operations, a Kiwanis Club event, ranching and ranch lands, portraits, and more.
File consists of 7 photographs pertaining to Luxton and McDougall family members visiting ancestral graves and memorials, including a dedication plaque for Rev. George McDougall and the graves of Flora McDougall, Georgina (McDougall) Luxton, and Thomas and Elizabeth Luxton.
7 photographs: b&w prints ; 8.5 x 12.5 cm and 9 x 9 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of 7 photographs pertaining to Luxton and McDougall family members visiting ancestral graves and memorials, including a dedication plaque for Rev. George McDougall and the graves of Flora McDougall, Georgina (McDougall) Luxton, and Thomas and Elizabeth Luxton.
Notes
Items LUX/II/B4/PA-6 and 7 are accompanied in file by a scanned copy of a letter from Jean Ken[?] to Eleanor Luxton pertaining to Thomas Luxton.
File consists of 54 col. prints pertaining to furnishings inside the Luxton family home, as well as friends of Eleanor Luxton. Includes school photographs of Michelle and Shawn O'Connor, as well as images depicting the passing of the 1988 Olympic torch in Canmore. Photographs in file are accompanie…
File consists of 54 col. prints pertaining to furnishings inside the Luxton family home, as well as friends of Eleanor Luxton. Includes school photographs of Michelle and Shawn O'Connor, as well as images depicting the passing of the 1988 Olympic torch in Canmore. Photographs in file are accompanied by a handwritten note to Eleanor Luxton from "Gail".
Notes
Some items are annotated on back
Most individuals in photographs are not identified
File consists of portraits and other photographs pertaining to Norman Luxton, his extended relatives and friends. Name individuals include: Eleanor and Georgina Luxton; George, Ada and Patricia Luxton (Norman's brother, sister-in-law and niece); Louis Luxton, Harry Addison Luxton and Harold Malloch…
Some photographs produced by: Algot Anderson (St Paul), Byron Harmon (Banff), Nelson Photo Studios (St Paul), Ambassador Atelier (St Paul), Zintsmaster (Minneapolis), Frank Cooper (London, Ontario), Steele and Co [Coy?] (Winnipeg), A.H. Opsahl (Minneapolis), Rembrandt Grand (St Paul), Geo. E. Luxton (Minneaplos Times), Reynolds Studio (Minneapolis), Perkins, J. Douglas Eckhert (St Paul), Calgary Photo Supply Co, Pringle & Booth (Toronto), Glenbow Foundation, J [Rosrit?] Calgary Herald Photographer, Robert Lefroy
Date Range
1886
[1890-1900]
1894
1899
[ca.1900]
1904
1906-1907
1920-1921
[1920-1930]
1930
1937
1939-1940
1950
[1950-1960]
1962
Physical Description
63 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 25 x 20.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of portraits and other photographs pertaining to Norman Luxton, his extended relatives and friends. Name individuals include: Eleanor and Georgina Luxton; George, Ada and Patricia Luxton (Norman's brother, sister-in-law and niece); Louis Luxton, Harry Addison Luxton and Harold Malloch Luxton (Norman's brothers); Mary Hosking Groeber (Norman's niece); Olive Luxton Hosking (Norman's sister), her husband Edgar and her daughter Dorothy; and Eleanor "Nellie" Luxton Foster (Norman's sister).
Notes
Some photographs are annotated.
PA-15 is annotated at Emerald Lake, this is now known as Lake Louise