Fonds consists of papers and photographs of James Irvine (Jim) Brewster, Fern Brewster, Dell Brewster and the Brewster family. I. James Irvine Brewster papers and photographs, before 1948 and ca.1959, consist mainly of professional papers and photographs relating to guiding and outfitting activitie…
24 cm of textual records. -- ca.830 photographs : prints, negatives. -- 12 photograph albums (ca.1000 prints). -- 1 motion picture
History / Biographical
James Irvine Brewster, 1882-1947, came to Banff with his parents in 1888. While still boys, he and his brother Bill started guiding fishing parties and later formed an outfitting partnership. With silent partners Fred Hussey and Phil Moore, they established Brewster Brothers in 1904. Jim Brewster and Hussey left the business in 1906. In 1909, Jim returned to guide the business. Under his control, it became a major transportation supplier, Brewster Transport Company. Fern Brewster, 1902-1967, daughter of Jim Brewster and Lade Brewster (d.1915), was a sportswoman, businesswoman and homemaker. She was involved in the operation of Sunshine ski area and was a director of Brewster Transportation after her father's death. Fern Brewster's married names were Clarkson and Dooley. Adele (Dell) Brewster (Sibbald), 1896-1983, Jim Brewster's second wife, was also a director of Brewster Transportation.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of papers and photographs of James Irvine (Jim) Brewster, Fern Brewster, Dell Brewster and the Brewster family.
I. James Irvine Brewster papers and photographs, before 1948 and ca.1959, consist mainly of professional papers and photographs relating to guiding and outfitting activities, and to Brewster Transport Company records, including Sunshine ski area records. Series includes correspondence, diaries, legal papers, Sunshine Lodge addition papers, Brewster house plans and other material. Correspondence is incoming and outgoing letters between Brewster and Hussey, clients, and associates regarding guiding and outfitting, real estate speculation and personal matters, etc. 1906-1907. Diaries pertain to guiding, hunting and horse trips, 1897-1901, 1904-1906; entries mainly record clients, territory covered and game observations and records. Also includes articles and hand-drawn map by Brewster on hunting, 1903-1906. Includes 54 photographs pertaining to Brewster Transport after Jim Brewster period.
II. Fern Brewster papers and photographs, before 1967, includes mainly personal papers, correspondence, recipes, press clippings and photographs regarding friends and family, education, Jim Brewster's death and cooking. Correspondents include Carl Rungius, Les Peters, Charlie Beil and Fern Bedaux.
III. Dell Brewster papers, 1925-1967, pertain mainly to Jim Brewster's death. Dell Brewster photographs pertain to the Sibbald, Grier and McDougall families.
IV. Brewster family papers and photographs pertain to Jack Walker Brewster, and Brewster family and friends.
V. Other material, before 1978, consists of greeting cards.
VI. Later Acquisitions, pertain to various Brewster family members including Fern Brewster, Jim Brewster, and Pat Brewster.
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 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 collected photographs depicting Fern and Jim Brewster, as well as friends, extended family members and other unidentified individuals. Images depict local events, including Banff Indian Days and Banff Winter Carnival; a funeral ceremony, possibly for Jim Brewster; professional and …
130 photograph prints : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of collected photographs depicting Fern and Jim Brewster, as well as friends, extended family members and other unidentified individuals. Images depict local events, including Banff Indian Days and Banff Winter Carnival; a funeral ceremony, possibly for Jim Brewster; professional and candid portraits [mostly unidentified]; military events; views of Banff and surrounding landmarks; and related subjects.
File pertains to photographs of Jim Brewster and family; other Brewster family members including John & Bella Brewster, Bill Brewster, Lade Bagley Brewster, Fern Brewster, George Clarkson, Edmee Moore (also Edmee and Charlie Reid's wedding), Pearl Moore, Philip Moore, George Brewster family and fr…
File pertains to photographs of Jim Brewster and family; other Brewster family members including John & Bella Brewster, Bill Brewster, Lade Bagley Brewster, Fern Brewster, George Clarkson, Edmee Moore (also Edmee and Charlie Reid's wedding), Pearl Moore, Philip Moore, George Brewster family and friends, Jack Brewster; also Rudolf Aemmer, Joe and Don Brewster, hockey team photos; views of Jim Brewster's house on Bow Avenue; Bow Falls, Banff townsite, Mount Royal Hotel, Mount Norquay Ski Lodge and ski school, Jim Brewster with school class, Banff Station; Irvine Castle, Ireland. One item is tintype
File pertaints to photographs of Brewster Transport operations, facilities, cars, buildings, staff, etc. Includes scenic views with Brewster packard touring cars at Banff, Kootenay and Yoho NP, Banff Springs Hotel; Mount Royal Hotel; Brewster buses; Jim and Bill Brewster with Brewster Transport car…
113 photographs : prints; some duplicates, 1 oversize
History / Biographical
See fonds level description
Scope & Content
File pertaints to photographs of Brewster Transport operations, facilities, cars, buildings, staff, etc. Includes scenic views with Brewster packard touring cars at Banff, Kootenay and Yoho NP, Banff Springs Hotel; Mount Royal Hotel; Brewster buses; Jim and Bill Brewster with Brewster Transport car, ca.1920; Brewster's Royal Hawaiian fleet of packards, ca.1927; views of Columbia Icefield area and chalet construction, ca.1938, also military training hut?; sketch map showing route from Mt. Norquay ski area to Mount Royal Hotel, n.d. Fifty four views date from. ca.1959, after Jim Brewster's death (V90 / 182-235)
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 31 photograph prints ordered by Eleanor Luxton from Canadian Pacific. Photographs pertain to construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Canadian Pacific trains and ships, and historic views of Banff, Calgary, Fort McLeod, Strathcona and Edmonton.
31 photographs : b&w prints ; 24 x 18 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 31 photograph prints ordered by Eleanor Luxton from Canadian Pacific. Photographs pertain to construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Canadian Pacific trains and ships, and historic views of Banff, Calgary, Fort McLeod, Strathcona and Edmonton.
Notes
Prints in file were produced by Canadian Pacific for Eleanor Luxton between 1946 and 1949; original dates of images
Photographs in file are accompanied by Canadian Pacific mailing envelope addressed to Eleanor 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.
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 6 photographs depicting community events and unidentified groups in Banff and Calgary. Content pertains to a parade in Banff, ca.1920; the erection of a memorial stone marking the location of the original North West Mounted Police barracks in Calgary, 1917; various group photograph…
7 photographs : b&w prints ; 50 x 40 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 6 photographs depicting community events and unidentified groups in Banff and Calgary. Content pertains to a parade in Banff, ca.1920; the erection of a memorial stone marking the location of the original North West Mounted Police barracks in Calgary, 1917; various group photographs from local events, including one depicting Eleanor Luxton and colleagues (possibly a class photograph); a group photograph from a drama performance at the University of Alberta; and the 1906 class of the N.C.O.'s Provisional School of Instruction in Calgary.
Series consists of cards, postcards, letters, and other correspondence which was sent to and/or collected by Eleanor Luxton. Content pertains to holiday and birthday greetings from family and friends, get well soon cards, collected gift tags, travel correspondence, and related subjects.
Series consists of cards, postcards, letters, and other correspondence which was sent to and/or collected by Eleanor Luxton. Content pertains to holiday and birthday greetings from family and friends, get well soon cards, collected gift tags, travel correspondence, and related subjects.
Notes
Series arrangement:
LUX / II / A / 1 to 47 : General correspondence, organized chronologically (see Content Details)
LUX / II / A / 48 to 51 : Holiday greeting cards, dated (chronological order)
LUX / II / A / 52 to 62 : Holiday greeting cards, not dated
LUX / II / A / 63 : Holiday gift tags
LUX / II / A / 64 to 65 : Thank you, friendship and get well soon cards
LUX / II / A / 66 to 67 : Easter and Valentine's Day cards
LUX / II / A / 68 to 70 : Birthday cards
LUX / II / A / 71 : Other holiday cards and letters
LUX / II / A / 72 : Postcards sent to Eleanor
LUX / II / A / 73 : Luxton family research correspondence
File consists of postcards and souvenir postcard booklets sent to members and friends of the Luxton family, including Eleanor, Norman and Georgina Luxton. Content pertains to locations and landmarks in various regions, including Canada, the United States, England, France and the Ivory Coast. File a…
ca. 250 prints : b&w and col. postcards ; 16 x 12 cm or smaller -- 1 b&w photograph : print ; 16 x 10.5 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of postcards and souvenir postcard booklets sent to members and friends of the Luxton family, including Eleanor, Norman and Georgina Luxton. Content pertains to locations and landmarks in various regions, including Canada, the United States, England, France and the Ivory Coast. File also includes one b&w photograph depicting a group of unidentified children.
Notes
Items in this file have been organized by geographical location. See "Content Details" entry field for contents of individual folders.
File consists of 7 photograph prints depicting early scenes and portraits pertaining to the Brewster family. File includes professional portraits by G&W Fear photographers; family portraits, including Jim Brewster, John Brewster, Fern Brewster, Jack Brewster, and others (some unidentified); and the…
7 photographs : b&w prints on matboard or cardboard ; 25 x 19 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 7 photograph prints depicting early scenes and portraits pertaining to the Brewster family. File includes professional portraits by G&W Fear photographers; family portraits, including Jim Brewster, John Brewster, Fern Brewster, Jack Brewster, and others (some unidentified); and the Canadian Pacific station in Banff.
File consists of Christmas/holiday greeting cards sent by various friends and family to members of the Luxton family [primarily Norman and Georgina] between ca.1905 and 1940. Includes several unsent holiday cards made by Norman and Georgina Luxton.
File consists of Christmas/holiday greeting cards sent by various friends and family to members of the Luxton family [primarily Norman and Georgina] between ca.1905 and 1940. Includes several unsent holiday cards made by Norman and Georgina Luxton.
Notes
File may contain duplicates
Items are not arranged by date within file; some items not dated
Material Details
Some items have attached string and/or decorative ribbons
File consists of 12 prints depicting Eleanor and Norman Luxton, as well as various friends and colleagues. Content pertains to a book signing event featuring Eleanor Luxton [possibly ca.1971 after publication of the book "Tilikum: Luxton's Pacific Crossing"]; early photographs of Norman and Eleanor…
12 photograph prints : b&w and col.; 20.5 x 25.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 12 prints depicting Eleanor and Norman Luxton, as well as various friends and colleagues. Content pertains to a book signing event featuring Eleanor Luxton [possibly ca.1971 after publication of the book "Tilikum: Luxton's Pacific Crossing"]; early photographs of Norman and Eleanor Luxton; Moses and Mark Dixon of the Stoney Nakoda tribe with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England [1939?]; Eleanor Luxton with professional colleagues [ca.1940-1945?]; and a university graduation portrait of Della Stanley with a note addressed to Eleanor Luxton.
Notes
File includes three duplicate copies of LUX / II / E / PA - 340