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 34 photographs depicting views of the Bow Valley and surrounding areas, and Quebec. Depicted locations include Chinaman's Peak (now Ha Ling), End Mountain, Fairholme Range, Mount McDougall, Mount Chester, Mount Galatea, Fisher Range in Kananaskis, Mount Lougheed and Mount Sparrowha…
File consists of 34 photographs depicting views of the Bow Valley and surrounding areas, and Quebec. Depicted locations include Chinaman's Peak (now Ha Ling), End Mountain, Fairholme Range, Mount McDougall, Mount Chester, Mount Galatea, Fisher Range in Kananaskis, Mount Lougheed and Mount Sparrowhawk in Alberta; and the Laurentian Mountains and St Adele (Quebec).
Notes
Some photographs are individually captioned with locations, dates and other related information
File consists of collected newspaper clippings and volumes published between 1907 and 1956. Content includes an early edition of the Crag and Canyon [August 24, 1907]; a scanned copy of a 1949 article from the New York Times discussing inflation rates between 1834 and 1949 [annotated]; a summer 195…
File consists of collected newspaper clippings and volumes published between 1907 and 1956. Content includes an early edition of the Crag and Canyon [August 24, 1907]; a scanned copy of a 1949 article from the New York Times discussing inflation rates between 1834 and 1949 [annotated]; a summer 1956 issue of "The Calgarian" signed on the cover by "Bessie L.[?] MacKay"; a loose article describing stretches and home exercises; and a four-page article from "Mining World" by Donald MacDonald discussing the construction of a coastal highway to Alaska.
Notes
New York Times scanned article has rough pencil sketch [possibly building layout?] on back side and math equations written on front in pencil
File consists of receipts [accommodation, groceries, etc.], supply lists, and other financial records pertaining to the Tilikum voyage in 1901/1902. File also includes newspaper clippings pertaining to the Tilikum voyage [1926-1954] and the 60th anniversary of Norman Luxton's participation on the t…
File consists of receipts [accommodation, groceries, etc.], supply lists, and other financial records pertaining to the Tilikum voyage in 1901/1902. File also includes newspaper clippings pertaining to the Tilikum voyage [1926-1954] and the 60th anniversary of Norman Luxton's participation on the trip [1961].
Items stored in two file folders based on subject:
LUX / I / B1 / 17 : Receipts, lists, other financial records
LUX / I / B1 / 18 : Newspaper clippings
File consists of negatives and photograph prints pertaining to John Voss and Norman Luxton’s travels in 1901 and 1902. Includes Norman Luxton and Captain John Voss posing with members of the Voss family aboard the Tilikum in 1901; views of Dodge Cove, British Columbia [including an Indigenous buria…
67 photographs : b&w prints ; 31 x 21 cm or smaller -- 5 photographs : b&w negatives ; 16 x 12 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of negatives and photograph prints pertaining to John Voss and Norman Luxton’s travels in 1901 and 1902. Includes Norman Luxton and Captain John Voss posing with members of the Voss family aboard the Tilikum in 1901; views of Dodge Cove, British Columbia [including an Indigenous burial site]; and views from travels in Manihiki [Cook Islands?] [ca.1902] and Samoa [1901].
File consists of one bound journal containing an extensive account of a 4-month trip to Canada and the United States by [J?]. L. Douglass, August to December 1886.
File consists of one bound journal containing an extensive account of a 4-month trip to Canada and the United States by [J?]. L. Douglass, August to December 1886.
Notes
Volume accompanied by paper with shipping label dated 1956.
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 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 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.