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 a scrapbook consisting of news-clippings, correspondence from the Post Office Department of Canada, pasted-in calendar prints with accompanying calendar for the year 1950, 1949 calendar, pasted-in prints of photographs appearing in Luxton archival collections - various sub-series; …
5 cm of textual records (71 pages ; 30.5 x 38.5 cm)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File consists of a scrapbook consisting of news-clippings, correspondence from the Post Office Department of Canada, pasted-in calendar prints with accompanying calendar for the year 1950, 1949 calendar, pasted-in prints of photographs appearing in Luxton archival collections - various sub-series; articles about the Duke of Windsor, Prince Edward, and his youth and adulthood; b&w prints of photographs of the Royal couple visiting an Indian Camp at Fort William; coverage of Queen Elizabeth's and Prince Phillip's wedding in The Tatler and Bystander and The Picture Post publications.
File consists of correspondence and other documents sent to Eleanor Luxton from her personal accountants, Smith Matthews Shannon Chartered Accountants and Touche Ross & Co. Chartered Accountants. Contents pertain to income taxes, accounting service invoices, and other financial topics.
File consists of correspondence and other documents sent to Eleanor Luxton from her personal accountants, Smith Matthews Shannon Chartered Accountants and Touche Ross & Co. Chartered Accountants. Contents pertain to income taxes, accounting service invoices, and other financial topics.
File consists of Eleanor Luxton's personal album which contains 195 black and white prints pasted in, most spreads are captioned. Content pertains to family and school photographs, events and travels between 1921 and 1925, in addition to potentional childhood photographs as well. Locations include …
Photograph Album: 1 image from album (195 b&w prints)
Scope & Content
File consists of Eleanor Luxton's personal album which contains 195 black and white prints pasted in, most spreads are captioned. Content pertains to family and school photographs, events and travels between 1921 and 1925, in addition to potentional childhood photographs as well. Locations include Banff, Lake Louise, Yoho, Marble Canyon, Takakkaw Falls, Lake Minnewanka, Summit Lake, Victoria, Vancouver, Yoho Valley Bungalow Camp and Radium Hot Springs. Events include the opening of the Banff-Wintermere Highway at Kootenay Crossing in 1921, a dog derby on frozen Lake Minnewanka, Banff Indian Days, Banff Winter Carnival. Subjects include unidentified and identified people including Norman Luxton, Georgina Luxton, Enos Hunter, Ben Kaquitts, Hector Crawler, John Englishman, Mrs. Wood, Edmée, Mrs Mitt and Miss Maemillan. Album cover is leather with burned annotation "Snap Shots" with paint and cloth leaf detailing. The album i sbound by a cord with leather tassels.
Notes
File consists of several loose photographs. Some photographs are detaching from the paper.
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 programs, booklets and flyers pertaining to events and exhibitions hosted by the Banff Centre and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Includes flyers for a Canadian opera titled "Seabird", a pamphlet for the 50th anniversary celebration for the Banff School of Fine Arts, and a program f…
File consists of programs, booklets and flyers pertaining to events and exhibitions hosted by the Banff Centre and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Includes flyers for a Canadian opera titled "Seabird", a pamphlet for the 50th anniversary celebration for the Banff School of Fine Arts, and a program for the 8th annual Banff Mountain Film Festival.
File consists of one lithograph colour poster advertisement for Banff Indian Days celebrations in 1928, promoted by Canadian Pacific. Poster depicts four Indigenous people outside of teepee [one man on horseback, one woman standing, two children sitting] with text in large print at bottom.
1 col. lithography poster on cardboard; 27 x 33 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of one lithograph colour poster advertisement for Banff Indian Days celebrations in 1928, promoted by Canadian Pacific. Poster depicts four Indigenous people outside of teepee [one man on horseback, one woman standing, two children sitting] with text in large print at bottom.
Material Details
Poster has foldable cardboard stand at back to place upright on surface
Scrapbook consists of newspaper clippings related to Banff Indian Days and the Calgary Stampede; various other newspaper clippings related to local and international news, including the opening of a new school in Morley and the Luxton Museum [now the Buffalo Nations Museum] in Banff, a fire at Jasp…
Scrapbook consists of newspaper clippings related to Banff Indian Days and the Calgary Stampede; various other newspaper clippings related to local and international news, including the opening of a new school in Morley and the Luxton Museum [now the Buffalo Nations Museum] in Banff, a fire at Jasper Park Lodge, and Canadian and international politics.
File consists of 14 colour and b&w oversized promotional posters and information boards for Banff Indian Days celebrations, promoted by Canadian Pacific. Posters largely feature identified and unidentified Indigenous people, notably Chief Spotted Eagle and Blind Eagle. Art medium includes oil pain…
Published and artwork attributed to Ernie Kehr, W.L. Kihn, G.H.W. Ashley, Crag & Canyon Press, Palenske, Canadian Pacific and Multi Color Poster
Date Range
[ca. 1930-1950]
1936
1937
1949
Physical Description
14 posters : colour and b&w ; 35 x 56 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 14 colour and b&w oversized promotional posters and information boards for Banff Indian Days celebrations, promoted by Canadian Pacific. Posters largely feature identified and unidentified Indigenous people, notably Chief Spotted Eagle and Blind Eagle. Art medium includes oil paint process mounted on cardboard made in Canada and distributed by Exhibits Branch Canadian Pacific, lithographic prints, and a mounted drawing attributed to Palenske. Some have annotations or stamps on the back.
Notes
Possibly unassociated shipping packing material addressed to Norman Luxton at the Trading Post from E.A. Kehr found in box - this has not been assigned a number.
D3-10, a lithographic promotional material from 1936 has an identical design to LUX / II / F1 / 47, an Indian Days poster from 1928
Items LUX / I / D3 / 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 were originally associated with LUX / I / D3a / 6, which contains brochures and a flyer from Banff Indian Days
LUX / I / D3 / 8, Palenske may have potentionally used photograph LUX / I / D3a / PA-26 as reference
Material Details
Some posters have foldable cardboard stand at back to place upright on surface, adhesives, and perhaps mounting additives.
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 banking pocketbooks which belonged to Eleanor Luxton. Content pertains to personal account and transaction records from Eleanor's accounts at CIBC and Bank of Montreal, dated between 1971 and 1991.
2 cm of textual records (8 volumes ; 17.5 x 8 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of banking pocketbooks which belonged to Eleanor Luxton. Content pertains to personal account and transaction records from Eleanor's accounts at CIBC and Bank of Montreal, dated between 1971 and 1991.
File consists of an annotated chapter from a book, titled "An Act respecting Banks and Banking" [1927] signed by Eleanor Luxton, and a loose page with accompanying handwritten notes. Content pertains to the Bank Act of 1923 in Canada. Items were likely used as research and study materials during El…
0.5 cm of textual records (2 volumes ; 16.5 x 25 cm and 11 x 14 cm)
Scope & Content
File consists of an annotated chapter from a book, titled "An Act respecting Banks and Banking" [1927] signed by Eleanor Luxton, and a loose page with accompanying handwritten notes. Content pertains to the Bank Act of 1923 in Canada. Items were likely used as research and study materials during Eleanor Luxton's time as a student at the University of Alberta.
File consists of Bank of Montreal deposit records [1974-1991] and printed statements for returned cheques [1986-1988] pertaining to Eleanor Luxton's financial accounts.
File consists of Bank of Montreal deposit records [1974-1991] and printed statements for returned cheques [1986-1988] pertaining to Eleanor Luxton's financial accounts.
Notes
Contents of file are arranged by date
LUX / II / D / 150 : 1974 deposits
LUX / II / D / 151 : 1975-1978 deposits
LUX / II / D / 152 : 1979-1983 deposits
LUX / II / D / 153 : 1984-1986 deposits
LUX / II / D / 154 : 1987-1991 deposits
LUX / II / D / 155 : Returned cheques
Scrapbook is organized into sections marked with tabs labeled: Prob. 1, 2, 3, IV, 5, VI, 6, and 7. Scrapbook consists of newspaper clippings relating to:
The industrialization of Britain
Britain at war
The war
The Royals
The Middle East
The Industrial Revolution
Russian and Japanese war effort
Pri…
Scrapbook is organized into sections marked with tabs labeled: Prob. 1, 2, 3, IV, 5, VI, 6, and 7. Scrapbook consists of newspaper clippings relating to:
The industrialization of Britain
Britain at war
The war
The Royals
The Middle East
The Industrial Revolution
Russian and Japanese war effort
Princesses Elizabeth, Margaret, and Prince Edward, and other Royal children
Article: "Britain's Prize Colony" - Canada
World events
Wheat production in Argentina
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 75 photographs pertaining to extended members of the Luxton and McDougall family. Photographs include Munro, Graham, Ingraham, Mackenzie and Hardisty family members. Photographs are accompanied in file by two lists detailing context and individual family members in each photograph.
75 photographs : b&w prints ; 15 x 20 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 75 photographs pertaining to extended members of the Luxton and McDougall family. Photographs include Munro, Graham, Ingraham, Mackenzie and Hardisty family members. Photographs are accompanied in file by two lists detailing context and individual family members in each photograph.
Notes
Photographs are part of a collection retrieved from the Luxton family home titled "Burned Photographs". Original numbering from corresponding photograph lists has been preserved, although some listed photographs are missing from file.
Photograph list:
Image 1: Srgt. Major Flintoff, N.W.M.P.
Image 2: Mrs. Munro + family - cousin [of] Mrs. D. McDougall
Image 3: [missing]
Image 4: Mt. Royal Hotel, Banff, built by D. McDougall
Image 5: Dorothy Graham Ingraham
Image 6: F.H. Graham + Jean Graham (wife)
Image 7: Geo. Ingraham
Image 8: Uncle F.H. Graham from Gracie 1903
Image 9: Dorothy Graham [3 photos]
Image 10: A.A. Williams' Bungalow Calgary, 1900
Image 11: John Graham
Image 12: Elizabeth Chantler McDougall
Image 13: Allen A. Shepard 1894 [3 photos]
Image 14: Jean McDougall Graham in her wedding gown
Image 15: Bob Alloway
Image 16: Mr. [Fred?] Graham's mother
Image 17: Freddie Graham Jr.
Image 18: E. G. McDougall
Image 19: [missing] Malcolm McKenzie
Image 20: Fishing Great Slave Lake
Image 21: Lizzie Colter
Image 22: Gillies Girls
Image 23: David & Annie McDougall
Image 24: Jimmy Mackenzie's first wife
Image 25: Birdie Young Roy
Image 26: Maggie Munro 1892 O.L.C.
Image 27: Jennie Gillies' girls
Image 28: [missing] Annie Mackenzie McDougall, David's Wife
Image 29: [missing] Eliz. Chantler McDougall
Image 30: [missing] Rev. Geo. McDougall
Image 31: Lillian Hall 1891 O.L.C.
Image 32: Helen Roat
Image 33: May McD. Ross
Image 34: Gussie and Mrs. Geo. McDougall [in] Morley
Image 35: [missing] Jean McDougall Graham's Wedding in Morley
Image 36: Freddie Graham Jr.
Image 37: N.K. Luxton 1904
Image 38: Libby McD. Young Rev. Geo.'s Daughter
Image 39: Dorothy Graham [6 photos]
Image 40: Arthur Hall
Image 41: [missing] Fred Graham + wife
Image 42: Mr. F.M. Graham [2 photos]
Image 43: Mrs. Graham Sr., Harry + wife + Jean, Fred's wife
Image 44: Freddie Carling- son [of] Annie
Image 45: Annie McD. Carling- daughter [of] David Mcd.
Image 46: John Mackenzie + His Wife
Image 47: [missing] Nettie Ramsay
Image 48: [missing] David's Trading Post Morley
Image 49: Minnie McD. Wilson- wife [of] Tom Wilson
Image 50: Jean + Fred Graham
Image 51: Dottie Burroughs
Image 52: Liza + Percy Hardisty, Clara + Mrs. Geo. McD.
Image 53: Miss Barret, first teacher Morley
Image 54: Mrs. Youmans - Fred husband Indian Agent Morley
Image 55: Nellie Wood McDougall
Image 56: [missing] Harry Graham wife Jean McD. Graham + Mrs. Graham Sr.
Image 57: Rev. John McD., [Egerton Steinhauer], Pakan, Samson, Joman [Jonas Two Young Men]
Image 58: [missing] Geo., Dorothy, Aunt Jean
Image 59: Jean Graham John McDougall
Image 60: Young David, Son [of] Rev. John + Elizabeth McDougall
Image 61: [Ed] Youmans
Image 62: [not listed]
Image 63: Magnus Begg
Image 64: Mrs. Egerton [Steinhauer]
Image 65: Ruth Wheatley [and] family daughter [of] Rev. John [McDougall] + first wife
Image 66: Ed Youmans
Image 67: [not listed]
Image 68: [not listed]
Image 69: Willie Mackenzie's wife
Image 70: B.J.'s Christening [B.J. Ingraham]
Image 71: Malcolm Mackenzie school teacher Morley [2 photos]
Image 72: Mr. May- married Annie Mackenzie
Image 73: Clara + Percy Hardisty
Image 74: Jean Graham
Image 75: Aggie Munro
Image 76: Annie Munro
Image 77: N.W.M.P. Post Canmore 1889
Image 78: Percy Hardisty
Image 79: 1914 Princess Pats Training Calgy.
File consists of 16 photographs pertaining to extended family members of Norman, Georgina and Eleanor Luxton. Photographs depict George E. Luxton, members of the Graham family [including Annie, Willie, John and Fred Graham], and photographs of trains and Canadian Pacific staff members.
Photographs LUX/III/ C3/PA-111 to 117 produced by Canadian Pacific Railway Company
Date Range
1900-1910
Physical Description
16 photographs : b&w prints ; 20 x 25 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 16 photographs pertaining to extended family members of Norman, Georgina and Eleanor Luxton. Photographs depict George E. Luxton, members of the Graham family [including Annie, Willie, John and Fred Graham], and photographs of trains and Canadian Pacific staff members.
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 one page of typed correspondence pertaining to the distribution of promotional map folders by members of the Calgary Board of Trade [1948], and 17 membership signs for the Calgary Board of Trade ranging from 1929 to 1950. All signs have original attached string for hanging/display …
The Calgary Board of Trade, founded in 1890, was renamed the Calgary Chamber of Commerce in 1951.
Scope & Content
File consists of one page of typed correspondence pertaining to the distribution of promotional map folders by members of the Calgary Board of Trade [1948], and 17 membership signs for the Calgary Board of Trade ranging from 1929 to 1950. All signs have original attached string for hanging/display purposes.
Notes
Membership signs in file have been arranged chronologically.
File consists of published textual materials pertaining to Calgary Exhibition and Stampede events between 1912 and 1972. File includes cutout paper logos, books, brochures and pamphlets, "prize list and rules" booklets, informational content mailed to Eleanor Luxton [1928] empty branded Stampede en…
File consists of published textual materials pertaining to Calgary Exhibition and Stampede events between 1912 and 1972. File includes cutout paper logos, books, brochures and pamphlets, "prize list and rules" booklets, informational content mailed to Eleanor Luxton [1928] empty branded Stampede envelopes, blank pages with Stampede letterhead, and 6 cloth ribbons labelled "Native Daughter", "Pioneer" and "Pioneer Son" [n.d.].
Notes
File contains duplicates
Some excess duplicates have been temporarily moved and may be de-accessioned in the future