Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M521 and V75.
M521 consists of four series, 154 cm, ca.1870-2002. Series I: Dorothy Wardle Personal Papers, 69.5 cm, ca.1870-2002 (includes Dorothy's written work and research and notes related to Banff). Series II: Wardle Family, 32.5 cm, 1872-1998 (including cor…
154 cm of textual records. -- 1304 photographs (1190 prints, 95 negatives, 19 transparencies). -- 6 photograph albums.
History / Biographical
The Wardle family was comprised of husband and wife, James Morey Wardle (June 26,1888 - May 18,1971) and Maud Leette (Roney) Wardle (May 24,1889 - December 1,1969), and their one child, Dorothy Hope Wardle (May 23,1919 - July 20,2003).
James Wardle, born in Chiliwack, British Columbia, was a civil engineer and public servant. He was the Superintendent of Banff National Park from 1918-1921, Chief Engineer for Parks Canada from 1921-1935, and Deputy Minister of the Interior from 1935-1936. He is primarily known as a highway design engineer, particularly for building the Banff-Windermere, Banff-Lake Louise, and Banff-Jasper highways. He was a councillor for the Municipality of Rockcliffe Park in Ontario and he was the President of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies in Banff from 1925-1929. Mount Wardle in Vermillion was named after him in 1921. James married Leette on November 4, 1913, with whom he had one child, Dorothy.
Born in Calgary, Alberta, Dorothy (also known as Dot and Dorie) grew up in Banff, Alberta and Ottawa, Ontario, due to her father's position with the federal government. She was educated at the Mountain School in Banff and at the Elmwood School in Ottawa. All three family members were graduates of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. James graduated in 1912 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Leette graduated with a Bachelor's degree, and in 1942, Dorothy also earned a Bachelor's degree. Dorothy was prominent in student life and active in athletics. In 1941, Dorothy became the first woman elected as President of the Alma Mater Society and during her academic career, Dorothy was a member of the Levana Intercollegiate Debative, University Centenary Committee, and Queen’s War Aid Commission.
Dorothy spent her career as a freelance writer however, upon graduation she served as the first Secretary-In-Charge of Records at Carleton College (now Carleton University) from 1942-1944 in Ottawa and in the mid-1950s worked as a secretary for the Glenbow Foundation in Calgary. Dorothy pursued a lifelong interest in traveling, art, and antiques. Although she was fiercely proud and protective of Banff and the Park, and remained a volunteer and patron of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Dorothy eventually settled in Sidney, British Columbia and shared an apartment with Sheila Iris Ritchie, with whom Dorothy travelled extensively. After her death in 2003, Dorothy, "Dorie," was laid to rest alongside her parents in the Old Banff Cemetery.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M521 and V75.
M521 consists of four series, 154 cm, ca.1870-2002. Series I: Dorothy Wardle Personal Papers, 69.5 cm, ca.1870-2002 (includes Dorothy's written work and research and notes related to Banff). Series II: Wardle Family, 32.5 cm, 1872-1998 (including correspondence with Carl Rungius and Mrs. Helen Brett, and Christmas and other greeting cards from Peter and Catharine Whyte). Series III: Queen's University, 7.5 cm, 1911-1980 (including graduation certificates for each family member and records pertaining to Dorothy's participation on the Alma Mater Society). Series IV: Travel, 44.5 cm, ca.1950-1988 (includes hand-written notebooks meticulously detailing their travels).
V75 consists of two series, 79.5 cm, ca. 1912-2001. Series I: Wardle Family, ca. 1912-1971, 6 albums, 31 cm of photograph prints and negatives (including family trips, trail rides in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and family gatherings). Series II: Dorothy Wardle, 1972-2001, 34 cm of photograph prints, negatives, and transparencies (including Dorothy's travels in Alberta and British Columbia, overseas, and various outings with friends).
File consists of 139 pages of handwritten research notes, correspondence, and newspaper clippings, H35 x W30 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's research on Banff and surrounding area, Parks Canada, Department of the Interior, and the history of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in general. Record…
2 cm of textual records (139 pages ; 30 x 35 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 139 pages of handwritten research notes, correspondence, and newspaper clippings, H35 x W30 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's research on Banff and surrounding area, Parks Canada, Department of the Interior, and the history of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in general. Records were filed in an envelope that was titled "Book Notes."
Notable people include James Wardle, J.B. Harkin, Pat Brewster, Arthur Unwin, Dr. Brett, Norman Sanson, and Bill Peyto, among others. Notable places and topics include the organization of the Department of the Interior, the Banff-Windemere Highway, Rocky Mountain Park and Park Wardens, Kootenay National Park fires, coal and precious metal mines (e.g. Bankhead, Silver City), trail riding and hiking, research about James Wardle and his accomplishments, Ya-Ha-Tinda, and various parks (e.g. Glacier, Revelstoke, Elk Island, Kootenay, and Yoho).
Other records include a handwritten letter to the Auld family in Scotland (cousins of Sheila Ritchie) with a story about Glenbow and a highland cow from Oban, Scotland; personal reflections on the Banff area and mountains in general; notes that Dorothy took while doing research at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies and the Banff Public Library; and a variety of newspaper clippings.
Notes
Includes request slips and stationary from the archives at the Whyte Museum.
Potentially includes a handwritten list of Dorothy's written works.
Newspaper clippings primarily from the Times Colonist, which is published in Victoria, British Columbia.
Some of the slips of paper are taped together. Was unable to remove them without damaging the materials. May present conservation issues in the future.
File consists of 129 lantern slides pertaining to mountaineering expeditions and scenic views in the Canadian Rockies. Includes images of pack trips, ice climbing, hiking, and Alpine Club of Canada camps. Locations include Emperor Falls; Berg Lake; ascent of Resplendent Mountain; Mount Edith Cavell…
Some items produced by Charles Potter and James Mahon
Date Range
[1913-1925]
Physical Description
129 photographs : lantern slides
Scope & Content
File consists of 129 lantern slides pertaining to mountaineering expeditions and scenic views in the Canadian Rockies. Includes images of pack trips, ice climbing, hiking, and Alpine Club of Canada camps. Locations include Emperor Falls; Berg Lake; ascent of Resplendent Mountain; Mount Edith Cavell; Mount Maud; Mount Commander; Mount Marpole; Mount Habel; Mount Robson; Mount Temple; Mount Huber; Castle Mountain; and Wilcox Pass.
Notes
Some items are numbered on outer edges or otherwise labelled
File consists of 82 black and white photographs, 18 x 13 cm or smaller. File documents the Wardle family and friends in the community, at different events and various travels, including: baby photographs of Dorothy in Banff (1919-1926); Banff early days with James and Leette Wardle, particularly at…
File consists of 82 black and white photographs, 18 x 13 cm or smaller. File documents the Wardle family and friends in the community, at different events and various travels, including: baby photographs of Dorothy in Banff (1919-1926); Banff early days with James and Leette Wardle, particularly at the snowshoe tramp for the Banff Winter Carnival (1919-1920); snapshots from a trip to Big Bend (1930); Norman Sanson's 1000th ascent of Sulphur Mountain in 1931; class photographs from the Mountain School (1932, 1935); various trips with Carl Rungius, including Lake McArthur and Lake O'Hara (1933), Ottawa (1945), and the Laurentians (1949); a trip to the Panama Canal (1933); miscellaneous photographs of school events (including the Alma Mater Society election that resulted in Dorothy being the first female president) of Dorothy and friends at Queen's University (1938-1941); the Swedish Legation in Ottawa (1946-1950); and photographs of Frank Kaquitts and his artwork (1963).
Notes
Most photographs are annotated on the backside of the print.
V75 / I / PA -193 : Includes an accompanying list identifying everyone in the class photograph (Dorothy attended the Mountain School as a young child).
V75 / I / PA -239 to 247 : includes handwritten notes regarding Frank Kaquitts. Dorothy originally filed these images with M521 / I / A / 10 ([Indigenous] Story Material).
File consists of 109 black and white and colour photograph prints, 23.5 x 17 cm or smaller. File documents various unidentified family members and friends, travels and outings, special events (e.g. weddings, graduations), holidays (e.g. Easter), official portraits (including a National Film Board o…
109 photographs : b&w and col. ; 23.5 x 17 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 109 black and white and colour photograph prints, 23.5 x 17 cm or smaller. File documents various unidentified family members and friends, travels and outings, special events (e.g. weddings, graduations), holidays (e.g. Easter), official portraits (including a National Film Board of Canada portrait of James Wardle), and sports and leisure (e.g. canoeing, golf). File also includes photographs of Carl Rungius (on his birthday in 1954), Betty Ormond in Peru (with a message addressed to "Dorrie" written on the back of the print), graduation photograph of James Wardle from Queen's (c.1912), and travel photographs from the United States in 1948 (New York, Washington, Philadelphia, and Atlantic City) and Amsterdam, Netherlands (1952). Notable places the photographs depict include Banff (including Banff Train Station), the Great Divide, St. Lawrence River (the Wardle family had a cottage here), Sunshine trail, Mt. Athabasca, Columbia Icefields, Lake O'Hara, Montreal, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Paris (France), Ghost River, Ottawa, Peru, Lake Minnewanka, Elk Island, and Maligne Lake.
Notes
Most (but not all) photographs are annotated on the back identifying who is in the photograph, when it was taken, and where.
File consists of 11.5 cm of textual records, 32 x 42 cm or smaller. Records include: Book of Common Prayer (1872); The Pocket Cook Book by Elizabeth Woody (1942); Guide to Marks of Origin on British and Irish Silver Plate from mid-16th Century to the Year 1943 and Old Sheffield Plate Makers' Marks,…
11.5 cm of textual records (32 x 42 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 11.5 cm of textual records, 32 x 42 cm or smaller. Records include: Book of Common Prayer (1872); The Pocket Cook Book by Elizabeth Woody (1942); Guide to Marks of Origin on British and Irish Silver Plate from mid-16th Century to the Year 1943 and Old Sheffield Plate Makers' Marks, 1743-1860 (1943); four booklets related to the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies (1934-1950); a booklet titled "Sir George Simpson Centennial Celebration" (1928); an assortment of recipes; "The Margaret P. Hess Collection" booklet published by the University of Calgary (1977) and a related Calgary Herald newspaper clipping (1986); one Carl Rungius postcard; and six miscellaneous postcards depicting a former school teacher of Leette Wardle (1911), James Wardle at the Cave and Basin (1920), the Wardles in San Francisco (n.d.), two unidentified men (n.d.), and visitors to the Banff Springs Hotel (n.d.).
Notes
Book of Common Prayer inscribed with: “Martha Morey, November 4, 1872. New Westminster, BC. From her mother.” It belonged to James Wardle's mother.
The Pocket Cook Book contains annotations and written notes tucked in among the pages of the book.
Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies booklets kept because the Wardles participated in trail rides and there are photos/mentions of James and Dorothy, and possibly Leette.
The "Sir George Simpson Centennial Celebration" booklet contains a photograph print between pages 32 and 33.
Some of the postcards are annotated on the back, specifically the postcard depicting the Banff Springs Hotel which is addressed to Dorothy.
File consists of 29 photograph prints pertaining to several public events hosted in and around Banff. Includes an opening event for the Banff-Windermere highway in 1923; an event at Crowfoot Crossing in 1927 marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 7; an Authors’ Banquet held in 1928; …
Items LUX/I/D6c/PA-199 and 200 attributed to Canadian Pacific
Date Range
1923
1926-1928
1958
1960
Physical Description
29 photographs : b&w ; 20.5 x 25 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 29 photograph prints pertaining to several public events hosted in and around Banff. Includes an opening event for the Banff-Windermere highway in 1923; an event at Crowfoot Crossing in 1927 marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 7; an Authors’ Banquet held in 1928; and a royal visit to Banff by Princess Margaret of England in 1958, including images of Norman Luxton presenting Princess Margaret with a gift of clothes and accessories from the Stoney Nakoda tribe[?].
Notes
File also contains two pages with 8 scanned images related to Princess Margaret’s 1958 visit to Banff [duplicates of photos LUX/I/D6c/PA-190 to 197 in file]; paper copies of photos are not numbered
John Murray Gibbon’s name spelled incorrectly in original annotations on two photographs depicting Authors’ Banquet event in 1928.
Item LUX/I/D6c/PA-198 has newspaper clipping attached to back, pertaining to Princess Margaret royal visit in 1958 and Norman Luxton presenting a gift to her.
FIle pertains to photographs of Soapy Smith, pack trips, associates and clients, hunting, wildlife, Rafter Six Guest Ranch and scenic views.
Notes
IMAGES :
1. Youngest Trail Rider was five years old - rode pint sized saddle but full sized horse [identified as Michael Guinn]
2. Man identified as John Murray Gibbon presenting a Hundred Mile Button to a child identifed as Michael Guinn
3. First Ranch Rafter Six
4. S. Smith at his ranch
5. Unidentified
6. Road at Soapy Smith’s ranch
7. Rafter Six Ranch [Nov. 29, 1963]
8. [Missing?]
9. Soapy Smith on the Saskatchewan Glacier [1924]
10. DeMott [at horse’s head], Bill Bagley [behind horse], DeMott [pulling on rope]
11. [Unidentified men with horse]
12. [Unidentified men chopping wood]
13. From left to right: DeMott brothers, Soapy Smith, Johnny Muska
14. From left to right: Bill Bagley, DeMott brothers, Johnny Muska, Soapy Smith
15. [Horses]
16. Soapy Smith [at horse’s head], Bill Bagley [bent over horse], [unidentified man in background]
17. From left to right: Bill Bagley, DeMott, John Muska
18. [Unidentified men packing a horse] John Muska has arm raised
19. Johnny Muska [walking], C.M. DeMott, Soapy
20. [Pack train]
21. [Pack train]
22. DeMott
23. Alexandra River?
24. J. Muska
25. [Camp]
26. [Camp]
27. [Right] Soapy Smith and C.M. DeMott packing horse
28. [Unidentified mountain scene]
29. [Unidentified lake]
30. [Unidentified men packing a horse]
31. Dr. Athin? [behind horse], Bill Bagley
32. [Mountain goat]
33. DeMott
34. [Unidentified men packing horses]
35. [Unidentified man fishing]
36a & 36b DeMotts?
37. Pack train and saddle horses
38. [Horses]
39. [Unidentified river]
40. J. Muska, C. DeMott Jr.?
41. [Pack train crossing river]
42. [Unidentified mountain]
43. [Pack train in meadow]
44. [Pack horses]
45. [Pack horse]
46. [Unidentified mountain]
47. [Unidentified mountain]
48. [Camp]
49. Johnny [Muska]
50. [Pack horses fording river]
51. Soapy
52. Happy Valley – Head of the Valley of Evans-Thomas Creek
53. [Unidentified valley]
54. [Camp]
FIle pertains to photographs of Soapy Smith, pack trips, associates and clients, hunting, wildlife, Rafter Six Guest Ranch and scenic views.
Notes
IMAGES :
55. [Mountain goat]
56. [Unidentified mountain]
57. B. Bagley?
58. [Old burn forest]
59. [Unidentified mountain]
60. [Unidentified mountain]
61. J. Muska
62. [Pack train on road]
63. [View of Banff Ave and Cascade Mt. from Cascades of Time Gardens]
64. Deer on lakeside
65. [Cow Moose with calf]
66. [Unidentified mountain]
67. Hold em boys
68. Rock Mtn. Sheep – rams
69. Soapy Smith’s Rafter Six Guest Ranch
70. Camp horseshoeing equipment
71. Original bridge at Saskatchewan River Crossing
72. Rafter Six Guest Ranch of Soapy Smith
73. Rafter Six Guest Ranch of Soapy Smith
74. Rafter Six Guest Ranch of Soapy Smith [ca.1940]
75. Bow Lake
76. [Pack horse]
77. [Unidentified lake]
78. What the well dressed man will wear this season on the trail – J. Muska? And unidentified man
79. Smoke from the Jasper fire
80. Four moose
81. Deer
82. Rocky Mtn. sheep – rams
83. [Unidentified man sitting on slope]
84. [Unidentified man]
85. [Unidentified mountain]
86. [Horses at pasture]
87. Douglas Lake
88. Caribou
89. Four Moose
90. Caribou
91. Moose
92. [Unidentified mountain]
93. [Big horn sheep – rams]
94. Bull moose
95. [Unidentified mountain range]
96. Moose
97. Mountain goat
98. Banff Ave ca. 1925 [colour tinted]
99. [Unidentified men at camp]
100. J. Muska?
101. [Unidentified man with ram skull]
102. [Unidentified man at camp]
103. [Pack train in valley]
104. [Pack train in valley]
105. [Pack horses]
106. [Horses at pasture]
107. [Unidentified valley]
108. One of the DeMott family?
FIle pertains to photographs of Soapy Smith, pack trips, associates and clients, hunting, wildlife, Rafter Six Guest Ranch and scenic views.
Notes
IMAGES :
109. Soapy Smith [note on back reads: “Soapy I am sending you this not that the picture is any good but I know it will bring back happy memories of Buttercup and the Days of the [illegible] Brigade]
110. B. Bagley? Soapy Smith
111. Soapy Smith [with cigarette] C.M. DeMott [on right]
112. C.M. DeMott
113. Soapy Smith? Bill Bagley?
114. Camp scene – Soapy Smith on right
115. J. Muska?
116. J. Muska C. DeMott Jr.?
117. [Unidentified man and Bill Bagley?]
118. [Unidentified man and horses in tall grass]
119. [Bighorn sheep - ram]
120. The cook at work! Soapy Smith
121a & 121b Soapy Smith [in vest]
122. Soapy Smith
123. Soapy Smith
124. Soapy Smith directly in front of tent
125. Soapy Smith – right
126. [Rafter Six Guest Ranch of Soapy Smith]
127. [Rafter Six Guest Ranch of Soapy Smith]
128. [Cat climbing screen door]
129. [Camp]
130. Rocky Mtn. sheep (rams)
131. Campsite cooking area?
132. [Unidentified cabin]
133. [Fire warning sign]
134. [Unidentified man at river]
135. [Unidentified mountain]
136. [Unidentified man at river]
137. [Camp]
138. George Brown painting
139. [Horses at pasture]
140. In the good old days before being lost in the sea of matrimony – Ahem! Soapy Smith ca.1930?
141. Soapy Smith ca.1930?
142. The Browne’s New House. Marine County, California (Belmore Browne)
143. Mr. and Mrs. Browne with Spike
144. Evelyn Browne
145. Entrance to the Browne’s House
146. Bruce Air Dale
147. Cow moose and calf
148. [Bighorn sheep]
149. [Unidentified men on mountain slope]
150. [Unidentified mountain]
151. [Unidentified men in field]
152. [Pack train crossing a river]
153. Fording
154. Buck thought it was Saturday night
155. The pack train on the move, slow but sure
156. [Unidentified mountain and glacier]
157. “When the Day is Done” this is home
158. All in a day’s work
159. The Kananaskis Dam at Seebe
160. The Four Musty Steers – Soapy Smith, J. Muska?, DeMott?, DeMott?
161. [Unidentified mountain]
162. [Unidentified mountain lake]
163. [Unidentified mountain range]