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 photographs sent to Norman Luxton from various friends, including "Red" [Cathcart?], Eugene LaPorte, Woodworth and Theodora Campbell, the Green family, and Ernest Maunder. Content pertains to Red [Cathcart's?] work transporting oil to mines, and views from his travels in British Co…
77 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 14.5 x 8.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of photographs sent to Norman Luxton from various friends, including "Red" [Cathcart?], Eugene LaPorte, Woodworth and Theodora Campbell, the Green family, and Ernest Maunder. Content pertains to Red [Cathcart's?] work transporting oil to mines, and views from his travels in British Columbia and Camp Debert in Nova Scotia; Eugene LaPorte fishing near Lake Ontario; Indigenous communities in Panama [sent by Mr. and Mrs. Campbell]; photos of the Green family [names missing]; photos from a community and nearby forested areas [location and source unknown] with detailed notes on back of related personal memories; Ernest Maunder's model boat hobby; "Dorothy" feeding geese in February 1954 in Inglewood [region in Calgary?]; and photographs of various wildlife by J.H. [Jack?] Munroe.
Notes
Some photographs have annotations on back. Items LUX/I/E4/PA-389 and 397 also have directions and illustrations of property layouts
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 42 photographs pertaining to landscape views, wildlife, and hiking and horseback riding trips within Banff National Park and the surrounding area. Includes images of Goat Cave, trips through Johnston Canyon and Marble Canyon, the Banff animal paddock, CPR trains travelling through …
42 photographs : b&w prints ; 25 x 20.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 42 photographs pertaining to landscape views, wildlife, and hiking and horseback riding trips within Banff National Park and the surrounding area. Includes images of Goat Cave, trips through Johnston Canyon and Marble Canyon, the Banff animal paddock, CPR trains travelling through the Canadian Rockies, and hoodoo rock formations. One photograph depicts unidentified riders on horseback during winter, annotated “Carnival 1923” [Banff Winter Carnival?]
Notes
Two individuals in photos identified by their titles and last names [“Mrs. Hutchings” and “Mr. Edwards”], but first names not confirmed
Items PA-108 to 119 in file consist of 6 unique images and one duplicate of each image [12 photographs total]
File consists of b&w photograph negatives of unidentified people interacting with black bears in Banff, exteriors of the Indian Trading Post, view from Mount Norquay Lookout, a canyon, and winter scenes.
14 photographs: b&w negatives; 9.5 x 6 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of b&w photograph negatives of unidentified people interacting with black bears in Banff, exteriors of the Indian Trading Post, view from Mount Norquay Lookout, a canyon, and winter scenes.
File consists of b&w photograph negatives of Banff Avenue featuring Lux theatre, Lux Block, King Edward Hotel, Dominion Cafe (ca. 1920), Norman Luxton and dog along Spray River, Mt. Norquay Ski Area (1940s), Lux Block featuring H.A. Gourley Druggist, King Edward Garden (1920s)
9 photographs: b&w negatives ; 18 x 13.2 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of b&w photograph negatives of Banff Avenue featuring Lux theatre, Lux Block, King Edward Hotel, Dominion Cafe (ca. 1920), Norman Luxton and dog along Spray River, Mt. Norquay Ski Area (1940s), Lux Block featuring H.A. Gourley Druggist, King Edward Garden (1920s)
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 Banff Indian Days negatives, photographs, and photograph postcards depicting events, including the Duke of Connaught and Princess Patricia at the Banff Springs Hotel courtyard. Subjects include unidentified Indigenous families, Rev. John McDougall, Lt. Governor R.G. Brett Photograp…
Date Range
ca. 1910
1910-1912
1916
1926
1953
Reference Code
LUX / I / D3a / 13 / NA - 01 to NA - 17
LUX / I / D3a / 13 / PA - 01 to PA - 93
Photographs taken and published by G. & W. Fear, Philip Godsell, Byron Harmon, and some attributed to M. Forsyth
Date Range
ca. 1910
1910-1912
1916
1926
1953
Physical Description
110 photographs : 1 b&w negatives ; 15.5 x 19.5 cm or smaller : 93 b&w prints ; 20 x 13 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of Banff Indian Days negatives, photographs, and photograph postcards depicting events, including the Duke of Connaught and Princess Patricia at the Banff Springs Hotel courtyard. Subjects include unidentified Indigenous families, Rev. John McDougall, Lt. Governor R.G. Brett Photographs taken and published by G. & W. Fear, Philip Godsell, Byron Harmon, and some attributed to M. Forsyth.
Notes
NA-01 to NA-09 have associated copy print and duplicate postcard prints. PA-22 and PA-54 have duplicate copies. NA-10 to NA-17 have a copy and duplicate print. Includes prints labelled [Peter Wesley?].
NA-12 is printed in brochures LUX / II / F1 / 20 / 20, 23, and 39. On a copy of LUX / II / F1 / 20 / 39 is a pen annotation under the photo "Tom Kakitts" [Tom Kaquitts]
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
File consists of photograph prints pertaining to attractions in and near Banff including the Animal Paddock and golfing at Banff Springs; the Luxton family home and garden and a stray dog on the Luxton property; an unidentified Indigenous couple, two individuals and a family posing near teepees [po…
46 photographs : b&w prints; 17.5 x 12 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of photograph prints pertaining to attractions in and near Banff including the Animal Paddock and golfing at Banff Springs; the Luxton family home and garden and a stray dog on the Luxton property; an unidentified Indigenous couple, two individuals and a family posing near teepees [possibly members of the Stoney Nakoda tribe in Morley]; a road trip to Sinclair Canyon with Norman Luxton and friends; and various scenic views of Banff and surrounding area including Sundance Lodge.
Notes
Photographs are not dated - date ranges provided are estimates by Processing Archivist based on content and format of file contents
File consists of 12 negative photographs (and 4 copy negative duplicates) depicting mounted taxidermy heads in the Banff Trading Post, a grizzly bear's hide hung on the exterior of a wooden building, and portaits. On the taxidermy negatives are number annotations in pen.
12 photographs : b&w negatives ; 12.5 x 18 cm or smaller -- 4 copy negatives
Scope & Content
File consists of 12 negative photographs (and 4 copy negative duplicates) depicting mounted taxidermy heads in the Banff Trading Post, a grizzly bear's hide hung on the exterior of a wooden building, and portaits. On the taxidermy negatives are number annotations in pen.
Notes
Copy negative duplicates have not been included in file numbering. NA-182 was not in envelope, the copy print was digitized.
File consists of prints and negatives depicting Banff Winter Carnival events including ski jumping, hockey, figure skating, log chopping competitions, toboggan races, swimming contests, dog sled races, ice sculptures and queen contests between 1920 and 1949, primarily from the 1920s. Includes snows…
Date Range
1920-1922
1922
[ca. 1940s]
1942
1949
Reference Code
LUX / I / D3b / 2 / NA - 01 to NA - 93
LUX / I / D3b / 2 / PA - 01 to PA - 71
164 photographs : 93 b&w negatives ; 14 x 8 cm or smaller : 71 b&w prints ; 23.5 x 19.5 cm or smaller
History / Biographical
Banff Winter Carnival, also known as Winter Sports of the Canadian Rockies, was the first post-war winter sports programme held in Banff, Alberta. The organization had Banff directors, Calgary directors and Directors-at-large from Alberta and outside the province. A wide variety of social and sports events took place under the organization's direction.
Scope & Content
File consists of prints and negatives depicting Banff Winter Carnival events including ski jumping, hockey, figure skating, log chopping competitions, toboggan races, swimming contests, dog sled races, ice sculptures and queen contests between 1920 and 1949, primarily from the 1920s. Includes snowshoe hikes, Sunshine Ski Camp, and personal motor trips to Lake Minnewanka. File includes photographs and prints by Lou Crosby, Dan McCowan, Byron Harmon. Some prints are stamped or annotated by the photographer and include processing receipts and original housing envelopes.
Notes
PA-01 to PA-09 are associated to negatives NA-49 to NA-57. Copy and duplicate prints associated with some negatives
File consists of 30 b&w negative photographs pertaining to Buffalo Nations Museum and Banff Indian Days celebrations in Banff. Includes images of events, including parades, and wildlife including a black bear. Some images show Eleanor [?] on a gurney alongside an ambulance.
30 photographs : b&w negatives ; 6.5 x 6.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 30 b&w negative photographs pertaining to Buffalo Nations Museum and Banff Indian Days celebrations in Banff. Includes images of events, including parades, and wildlife including a black bear. Some images show Eleanor [?] on a gurney alongside an ambulance.
Notes
Photograph prints are included in Eleanor Luxton's Banff album, LUX / II / E / PD / 1
File consists of photographs pertaining to events at the Calgary Stampede, including a parade [ca.1925], several teepees on display, and a rodeo in 1949.
17 photographs : b&w prints ; 24.5 x 19.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of photographs pertaining to events at the Calgary Stampede, including a parade [ca.1925], several teepees on display, and a rodeo in 1949.
Notes
File contains duplicates
Material Details
Items LUX/I/D3c/PA-47 to 49 are stamped "COPYRIGHT OLIVER, CALGARY" below images; possibly referring to photographer William John Oliver (1887-1954)
File consists of 5 photographs pertaining to the Calgary Stampede. Photographs depict Norman Luxton and other individuals involved in the coordination of the Calgary Stampede, including Fred Graham, Chief David Bearspaw, members of the Hunter and Burns families, Col. Walker, Guy Weadick and others.
Items LUX/I/D3c/PA-1 and 2 attributed to photographer F. Gully
Date Range
[ca.1920-1930]
1944
Physical Description
5 photographs : b&w prints ; 25 x 20 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 5 photographs pertaining to the Calgary Stampede. Photographs depict Norman Luxton and other individuals involved in the coordination of the Calgary Stampede, including Fred Graham, Chief David Bearspaw, members of the Hunter and Burns families, Col. Walker, Guy Weadick and others.
Notes
Most individuals in photographs are not named, and items [aside from first in file] are not dated
File consists of 21 photographs pertaining to events at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede held in 1943, 1949 and 1954. Photographs dated 1949 depict unidentified Indigenous people on horseback [preparing for a Stampede event?], and other photographs in file pertain to the judging of teepee compet…
Photographs LUX/I/D3c/PA-6 to 10 produced by photographer F. Gully.
Date Range
1943
1949
1954
Physical Description
21 photographs : b&w ; 17.5 x 12 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 21 photographs pertaining to events at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede held in 1943, 1949 and 1954. Photographs dated 1949 depict unidentified Indigenous people on horseback [preparing for a Stampede event?], and other photographs in file pertain to the judging of teepee competitions in [including images of 1943 winner John Burns and his family].
Image of a Christmas/New Years card featuring a photograph of a row of tepees with a horse at one end and mountains in the background from the Norman and Georgina Luxton
Image of a Christmas/New Years card featuring a photograph of a row of tepees with a horse at one end and mountains in the background from the Norman and Georgina Luxton
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.