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].
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
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 7 copy negative photographs pertaining to a band competition in Calgary [1901], the Calgary Fire Department, the opening of a roof garden at the Hudson's Bay store in Calgary, the opening of Rosedale in Calgary [1910], and the Lone Pine Stopping Place [1918 or 1919].
7 photographs : b&w negatives ; 12.5 x 10 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 7 copy negative photographs pertaining to a band competition in Calgary [1901], the Calgary Fire Department, the opening of a roof garden at the Hudson's Bay store in Calgary, the opening of Rosedale in Calgary [1910], and the Lone Pine Stopping Place [1918 or 1919].
Notes
Photographs copied from original materials held at the Glenbow Museum.
Item consists of b&w photograph negative depicting an unidentified individual standing by a chicken coop with chicken and a goose [in Mini Thni] [Morley]
Item consists of b&w photograph negative depicting an unidentified individual standing by a chicken coop with chicken and a goose [in Mini Thni] [Morley]
Notes
Negative has handwritten number annotation on edge
File consists of 6 negative photographs pertaining to Eleanor and Norman Luxton. Includes images of Eleanor as a baby and a young girl at the Luxton family home in Banff; a view of the Luxton family's backyard; and two images of Norman Luxton, ca.1950-1960.
6 photographs : b&w negatives ; 15 x 9 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 6 negative photographs pertaining to Eleanor and Norman Luxton. Includes images of Eleanor as a baby and a young girl at the Luxton family home in Banff; a view of the Luxton family's backyard; and two images of Norman Luxton, ca.1950-1960.
Notes
Photographs LUX/II/E/NA-248 and 249 are accompanied in file by print duplicates and original photo envelopes
File consists of one glass negative photograph hunting trophy displays owned by Norman Luxton, possibly from the Sign of the Goat curio store in Banff.
Photograph produced by Norman Luxton or George Luxton
Date Range
[ca.1905-1915]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w glass negative
Scope & Content
File consists of one glass negative photograph hunting trophy displays owned by Norman Luxton, possibly from the Sign of the Goat curio store in Banff.
Notes
Physical dimensions of glass negative could not be measured, as item is broken into several pieces
File consists of templates, text samples, printed images and final copies of Christmas and holiday cards created for Norman, Georgina and Eleanor Luxton. Includes 9 b&w photographs (n.d., no title) of an unnamed individual dogsledding near the Banff Springs Hotel, as well as images of unidentified …
Date Range
[1901-1920]
[1930-1940]
Reference Code
LUX / III / A1 / 24 and LUX / III / A1 / NA - 1 to 3
2.5 cm of textual records -- 12 photographs (9 prints : b&w ; 15.5 x 20 cm or smaller -- 3 negatives : b&w negatives ; 18.5 x 13.5 cm)
Scope & Content
File consists of templates, text samples, printed images and final copies of Christmas and holiday cards created for Norman, Georgina and Eleanor Luxton. Includes 9 b&w photographs (n.d., no title) of an unnamed individual dogsledding near the Banff Springs Hotel, as well as images of unidentified Indigenous people [possibly Stoney Nakoda], skiing, and winter views of Banff and the surrounding area. File also includes three b&w negative photographs depicting holiday greeting card designs for Norman and Georgina Luxton, and Eleanor Luxton.
Notes
Negative photographs are duplicates of some paper printed images included in file LUX / III / A1 / 24.
Negatives have been stored in separate file folder from prints an textual records, in a negative envelope; items are currently stored together in same box to maintain context, but negatives may be moved to downstairs storage in the future
Photographs are primarily printed on paper or matboard (with exception of three glossy prints). Textual and photograph items in this file have been stored together to maintain original context and due to good physical condition.
File consists of panoramic negatives depicting a family with twin babies, mountain sheep skulls, horse drawn sled near the Bow River with a bison carcass, mountains roads [potentially by the Spray River] street scenes, wagons, fish trophies, packtrain, hot springs and a cat.
File consists of panoramic negatives depicting a family with twin babies, mountain sheep skulls, horse drawn sled near the Bow River with a bison carcass, mountains roads [potentially by the Spray River] street scenes, wagons, fish trophies, packtrain, hot springs and a cat.
Notes
Some photographs have "Copyrighted Luxton, Banff" annotated