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].
Fonds includes a scrapbook, a blotting book of drawings, and one photographic print. The scrapbook contains newspaper accounts by travellers in the Rockies and Selkirks, particularly descriptions of Banff town, Banff Springs Hotel, the hot springs and vicinity. The Stewarts are frequently mentione…
2 v. of textual records. -- 3 photographs : prints.
History / Biographical
George A. Stewart, 1830-1917, was the first Superintendent of Rocky Mountains Park (now Banff National Park) from 1886-1897. George and Frances Stewart, 1843-1932, and family were prominent early residents of Banff.
Scope & Content
Fonds includes a scrapbook, a blotting book of drawings, and one photographic print.
The scrapbook contains newspaper accounts by travellers in the Rockies and Selkirks, particularly descriptions of Banff town, Banff Springs Hotel, the hot springs and vicinity. The Stewarts are frequently mentioned, having extended their hospitality to the various writers. The album has been autographed at a later date by Olive Stewart Foster. The blotting book contains 54 drawings pertaining to unknown persons and locations and is thought to have belonged to George Stewart. Drawings are possibly by Rev. F. G. Christmas. Location of images appears to be Manitoba or north-western Ontario.
Photographs are: Stewart family in front of their first home in Banff and Cave and Basin bathhouse, both by Boorne & May, Photographers, Calgary, N.W.T., ca.1888; and "Grandmother Stewart's house in Banff."
File consists of cards, stationery, small publications and other collected items. Includes thank you and business cards for The Home Insurance Company in Calgary and the Canadian Bank of Commerce; two blank pages with letterhead for Hotel Wales in Calgary; a round paper placemat/coaster advertising…
File consists of cards, stationery, small publications and other collected items. Includes thank you and business cards for The Home Insurance Company in Calgary and the Canadian Bank of Commerce; two blank pages with letterhead for Hotel Wales in Calgary; a round paper placemat/coaster advertising La Ronde Revolving Restaurant in Edmonton; a copy of "Bill and Al's Happy Motoring" by Esso Imperial Service containing an article about Banff National Park [pages 2-3]; a Laura Secord advertisement and info booklet, "The History of Our Flag"; a partial pack of blank score cards titled Auction Bridge; a page titled "Rules for the Game of Five Hundred"; a newspaper clipping with comics on both sides; and a large [23 x 15 cm] postcard with illustration titled "What Would You Have Done?" [see notes].
Notes
NOTE: Large postcard "What Would You Have Done?" contains outdated and potentially offensive language which is reflective of the time period in which it was produced.
"Bill and Al's Happy Motoring" publication has mailing stamp on back addressed to Norman Luxton.
"Rules for the Game of Five Hundred" card annotated in pencil
File consists of a scrapbook containing newspaper accounts by travellers in the Rockies and Selkirks, particularly descriptions of Banff town, Banff Springs Hotel, the hot springs and vicinity. The Stewarts are frequently mentioned, having extended their hospitality to the various writers. The al…
George A. Stewart, 1830-1917, was the first Superintendent of Rocky Mountains Park (now Banff National Park) from 1886-1897. George and Frances Stewart, 1843-1932, and family were prominent early residents of Banff.
Scope & Content
File consists of a scrapbook containing newspaper accounts by travellers in the Rockies and Selkirks, particularly descriptions of Banff town, Banff Springs Hotel, the hot springs and vicinity. The Stewarts are frequently mentioned, having extended their hospitality to the various writers. The album has been autographed at a later date by Olive Stewart Foster.
Scrapbook consists of a Star Weekly, 1939 magazine publication about Queen Elizabeth and King Edward VI. Also included are newspaper clippings relating to "Know Your Empire" Contest, 1940.
Scrapbook consists of a Star Weekly, 1939 magazine publication about Queen Elizabeth and King Edward VI. Also included are newspaper clippings relating to "Know Your Empire" Contest, 1940.
File consists of 5 commercial miniature calendars with photographs [one printed directly onto calendar, 4 attached to backing]. Photographs on calendars are by Byron Harmon [one is not attributed, but likely by Harmon as well], and pertain to: an unnamed Indigenous couple [possibly Stoney Nakoda co…
File consists of 5 commercial miniature calendars with photographs [one printed directly onto calendar, 4 attached to backing]. Photographs on calendars are by Byron Harmon [one is not attributed, but likely by Harmon as well], and pertain to: an unnamed Indigenous couple [possibly Stoney Nakoda community members], a view of Maligne Lake, an unidentified mountain, 4 ice climbers at the peak of Mt. Habel, and Stoney hunter and Trapper Silas Abraham. Calendar depicting Silas Abraham, 1907, includes printed advertisement for Norman Luxton's trading and taxidermy businesses in Banff and Exshaw.
File consists of published materials pertaining to topics of Canadian, provincial and regional history, related statistical information, and national politics; information booklets and guides for Banff National Park, Alberta, Victoria, B.C., and other regions within Canada; and other Canadian trave…
File consists of published materials pertaining to topics of Canadian, provincial and regional history, related statistical information, and national politics; information booklets and guides for Banff National Park, Alberta, Victoria, B.C., and other regions within Canada; and other Canadian travel and promotional material.
File stored in two folders arranged by subject:
LUX / II / F1 / 63 : Canadian history and research material
LUX / II / F1 / 64 : Canadian tourism publications
File consists of 3 full copies of Canadian news publications including The Dominion Illustrated, Montreal Star, and The Montreal Herald, as well as one torn section from a 1937 edition of the Edmonton Bulletin newspaper. Content pertains to business development, agriculture, trade and local history…
1.5 cm of textual records (4 volumes ; 28.5 x 41 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 3 full copies of Canadian news publications including The Dominion Illustrated, Montreal Star, and The Montreal Herald, as well as one torn section from a 1937 edition of the Edmonton Bulletin newspaper. Content pertains to business development, agriculture, trade and local history in Calgary; a Royal Visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York to Canada in 1901; Canadian trade, industry and tourism; and political tension between Russia and Japan prior to World War II.
Items are arranged chronologically in file box:
LUX / II / F1 / 41 : "The Dominion Illustrated" [1890]
LUX / II / F1 / 42 : "The Royal Visit to Canada 1901", Montreal Star
LUX / II / F1 / 43 : "The National Number of the Montreal Herald" [1927]
LUX / II / F1 / 44 : "Edmonton Bulletin" [1937]
File consists of brochures, souvenir booklets, travel guides and related materials pertaining to Canadian Pacific trips and destinations within North America. Locations include: Banff Springs Hotel and Banff National Park; the Empress Hotel in Victoria; British Columbia; Ontario and the the Great L…
File consists of brochures, souvenir booklets, travel guides and related materials pertaining to Canadian Pacific trips and destinations within North America. Locations include: Banff Springs Hotel and Banff National Park; the Empress Hotel in Victoria; British Columbia; Ontario and the the Great Lakes; Quebec; Alaska; and the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. File also includes a map of the Canadian Pacific rail system [1918] and a copy of "Empress of the Pacific" cruise magazine [1936].
Items divided into 3 files:
LUX/II/C4/15: Ontario, Quebec, Alaska and Canadian coastal guide books [ca. 1915-1920]
LUX/II/C4/16: Canadian Rockies guides and information booklets
LUX/II/C4/17: Other Canadian Pacific material
File consists of souvenir menus from various trips on Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian Pacific cruises. Contents pertain to various destinations within Canada, including: Banff Springs Hotel and Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria, Vancouver, Connaught and Spiral Tunn…
File consists of souvenir menus from various trips on Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian Pacific cruises. Contents pertain to various destinations within Canada, including: Banff Springs Hotel and Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria, Vancouver, Connaught and Spiral Tunnels, Ottawa, Quebec, and St. John [New Brunswick]. Includes a set of 3 menus from 1924 and a set of 3 adult menus and 1 children's menu from 1952 which are stored in original Canadian Pacific paper envelopes.
Notes
Items in file are stored in two file folders, organized chronologically
