14 photographs : b&w and col. slides ; 10.2 x 8.2 cm
History / Biographical
The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was officially formed in Februray, 1881, to construct a railroad that would link the eastern provinces with British Columbia, a key component of the Canadian Confederation of 1867. Headed by William C. Van Horne as General Manager, the railroad arrived in the Canadian Rockies in 1883 and a siding was established just east of present-day Banff. When railroad workers discovered a natural hot spring on the south side of the Bow River, Van Horne ordered the construction of a hotel that would house visitors brought in by train to visit the springs. Construction of the Banff Springs Hotel finished in 1888 and joined a handful of CPR hotels throughout the Rocky and Selkirk Mountain ranges. The popularity of the hot springs and surrounding area led to the formation of a national park and to the town of Banff.
After construction of the railway had completed, the CPR continued to survey and document the Rocky Mountains alongside federal agencies like the Department of the Interior and private outfitters. Utilizing coloured lantern slides the CPR was able to showcase the mountains as both tourist and settlement destinations. Magic lantern shows of these slides could be used for administrative purposes by the company to showcase land holdings and investments or in public shows as advertisements of the new railway.
Scope & Content
Series consists of 14 lantern slides [ca.1900-ca.1925]. Slides are views along the Canadian Pacific Railway.
File consists of one hand-drawn map by Roger Ruck (1915-1953) depicting Windermere and surrounding regions. A poem pertaining to Roger's early life in England is written on the back.
File consists of one hand-drawn map by Roger Ruck (1915-1953) depicting Windermere and surrounding regions. A poem pertaining to Roger's early life in England is written on the back.
File consists of five photographs depicting Roger Ruck and other unidentified individuals on horseback in the Canadian Rockies. One image depicts Roger Ruck on horseback in Somerset, England, with cars visible in the background.
Roger Ruck (1915-1953) was born in Taunton, Somerset, U.K., to parents Rev. George Ruck and Muriel Ruck. Roger married Dr. Esme Ruck (nee De Smidt, born ca.1920) and the couple had one son, Michael (born ca.1946). Roger spent time in the Windermere region between ca.1935-1940 before moving to North Kinangop, Kenya. Roger, Esme, and Michael were murdered on January 24, 1953 during the Mau Mau Uprising.
Scope & Content
File consists of five photographs depicting Roger Ruck and other unidentified individuals on horseback in the Canadian Rockies. One image depicts Roger Ruck on horseback in Somerset, England, with cars visible in the background.