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 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 14 b&w photograph prints [loose and on matboard]. Content pertains to local views near Banff, including Georgina Luxton riding in a carriage along Tunnel Mountain Trail, a hunting trip north of Banff with guide George Harrison[?], the King Edward Hotel building exterior and surroun…
Items LUX/I/D6c/PA-232 and 233 produced by Norman Luxton
Date Range
1904-1905
1910
[ca.1910-1920]
Physical Description
10 photographs : b&w ; 29.5 x 18 cm or smaller -- 4 photographs : b&w prints on matboard ; 35.5 x 14 cm and 25 x 21 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of 14 b&w photograph prints [loose and on matboard]. Content pertains to local views near Banff, including Georgina Luxton riding in a carriage along Tunnel Mountain Trail, a hunting trip north of Banff with guide George Harrison[?], the King Edward Hotel building exterior and surrounding property [1904-1910] and an event hosted in the hotel, and panoramic views of Banff and a waterfront area [Lake Minnewanka?] taken by Norman Luxton.
Items stored in three file folders: PA-220 to 222 [Tunnel Mountain Trail and hunting trip]; PA-223 to 231 [King Edward Hotel]; and PA-232 to 233 [Banff & area panoramas]
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 photograph prints depicting members of the Banff Gun Club, including Norman Luxton. Photographs pertain to local hunting excursions including the Lake Louise area and canyon views; interior views of the Banff Gun Club building including a fireplace built by Norman Luxton [1924]; tr…
File consists of photograph prints depicting members of the Banff Gun Club, including Norman Luxton. Photographs pertain to local hunting excursions including the Lake Louise area and canyon views; interior views of the Banff Gun Club building including a fireplace built by Norman Luxton [1924]; trap shooting at a gun range in Banff; and Norman Luxton posing with pet dogs [including “Barney”], and with other Gun Club members [including L.C. Brown, W. Miller, J. Sturdy, L.C. Braken, and “McKenzie”]. Most individuals in photographs are not named.
Notes
File contains multiple duplicates
Items LUX/I/D3d/PA-1 to 17 developed by company Byron Harmon Photography; original storage envelope kept in file with prints
File consists of one photograph album containing 9 b&w prints. Photographs pertain to animal caretaker Adam Dalgleish with moose and antelope during winter season at the Banff Paddock [ca. 1900-1910]. Front cover of album has personal letter written to Norman Luxton from Mary Schaffer Warren [ca. 1…
File consists of one photograph album containing 9 b&w prints. Photographs pertain to animal caretaker Adam Dalgleish with moose and antelope during winter season at the Banff Paddock [ca. 1900-1910]. Front cover of album has personal letter written to Norman Luxton from Mary Schaffer Warren [ca. 1930?].
Notes
Date provided is estimate by Processing Archivist based on format and context of file contents.
Material Details
Album pages bound with light purple ribbon tied in bow
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 biographical records and timelines of events pertaining to the lives of Norman Luxton, Elizabeth Chantler McDougall and George McDougall. Includes an obituary article for George McDougall from 1876 [two separate newspaper clippings]; an account of a buffalo round-up in 1909 by Norm…
File consists of biographical records and timelines of events pertaining to the lives of Norman Luxton, Elizabeth Chantler McDougall and George McDougall. Includes an obituary article for George McDougall from 1876 [two separate newspaper clippings]; an account of a buffalo round-up in 1909 by Norman Luxton; Article "Here's Alberta - People and Places" featuring Norman Luxton; published book "Elizabeth McDougall: Pioneer" by Edna Kells; and a program for an event celebrating the 100th anniversary of George McDougall's appointment as Chairman of the Hudson's Bay Missions, which includes a detailed timeline of the lives of George and Elizabeth McDougall, as well as their son John.
Notes
File also contains one duplicate copy of each item, excluding "Elizabeth McDougall: Pioneer"