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 portraits and candid photographs of Norman Luxton, alone or with family members, friends, acquaintances or dogs. Includes comic portraits, ca.1905, and joint x-ray negatives, ca.1916. File also includes Norman Luxton attestation paper military service exemption, 1917
ca.130 photographs (ca.112 prints, 18 negatives). -- 1 textual record
Scope & Content
File consists of portraits and candid photographs of Norman Luxton, alone or with family members, friends, acquaintances or dogs. Includes comic portraits, ca.1905, and joint x-ray negatives, ca.1916. File also includes Norman Luxton attestation paper military service exemption, 1917
File consists of receipts, notes, newsclippings, memberships, certificate, handbooks and other ephemera pertaining to the Tilikum voyage and life in Australia, 1901-1902. Includes original copy of Fiji Times, September 18, 1901, and comic certificate received by Norman Luxton.
File consists of receipts, notes, newsclippings, memberships, certificate, handbooks and other ephemera pertaining to the Tilikum voyage and life in Australia, 1901-1902. Includes original copy of Fiji Times, September 18, 1901, and comic certificate received by Norman Luxton.
Original documents collected by Eleanor Luxton for Glenbow-Alberta Institute research projects, 1956-1961. It is believed that these items were borrowed from individuals and families and were to be returned
Original documents collected by Eleanor Luxton for Glenbow-Alberta Institute research projects, 1956-1961. It is believed that these items were borrowed from individuals and families and were to be returned
Content Details
LIST OF ITEMS:
* Visitor register, 1908, 1 vol. Source unknown. 1 page only used
* Inventory and sales register, 1901-1909, 1 vol. Source unknown. Includes: list of tools [&] waggons; list of cost of house and out buildings; cattle bought and on hand; cattle sold; horses purchased from Hamilton & Parslow of Calgary
* Account book, 1908, 1 vol. Source unknown. Pertains to room and board
* Oil and gas prospects of the prairie provinces / O. Bryant, Nov. 1920, 1 vol: annotated typescript
* News of the war, 1900 : [scrapbook], 1900-1901, 1 vol. Pertains to the Boer War, particularly regarding Fred Morden, Morden family and other Pincher Creek and southern Alberta residents. Includes clippings, letters, notes, photographs; some are loose
* Isabell Beatrice Sheppard diaries, 1890-1891, 2 vol. One volume is signed by Sheppard. Other diary is not signed but exhibits the same handwriting. Fragile: loose and missing pages
* August to December 1886, Journal of a 4 months holiday to Canada and the United States / J. L. Douglas, 1886, 1 vol
* The Hansons of Osmanthorp, recorded by John Hanson : typescript, 1829, 1 vol
* Frank McHugh scrapbook, 1901-1956, 1 vol. Pertains to life of Frank McHugh, including polo and other sports, war service, activities, other. Consists of photographic prints and negatives, clippings, letters, postcards, notes, ephemera. Includes numerous loose and separated items
* Textual records, 1907-1958, 8 items. Consists of stories "The Women of the West" and "Incident of the Great War", also notes, letters, receipts, annotated postcard
* Photographs, ca.1870-ca.1925, 28 prints, 1 tintype. Pertain mainly to Calgary, individuals (portrais and candids), families, homes, polo, ranching and farming, High River, other. Some acquired from Mrs. Hogge of Okotoks; others appear to have been acquired from a Mrs. Worden
* Calgary Alberta directory : [publication], March 1885, 1 vol
File consists of 7 published paperback booklets. Contents include 3 copies of "Dr. A.W. Chase's Calendar Almanac" dated 1931, 1933 and 1934 respectively; 2 copies of "Dodd's Almanac and Household Hints" dated 1933 and 1934; one copy of "Things Worth Knowing: Reliable Recipes, Valuable Formulas and …
Published by Murray Printing Co. Ltd.; The Dodds Medicine Co. Ltd.; Dr. Williams Medical Co.; and The W.H. Comstock Co. Ltd
Date Range
[ca. 1895]
1908
1927
1931
1933
1934
Physical Description
2 cm of textual records
Scope & Content
File consists of 7 published paperback booklets. Contents include 3 copies of "Dr. A.W. Chase's Calendar Almanac" dated 1931, 1933 and 1934 respectively; 2 copies of "Dodd's Almanac and Household Hints" dated 1933 and 1934; one copy of "Things Worth Knowing: Reliable Recipes, Valuable Formulas and Methods of Home Treatment for Common Diseases", annotated on the back cover in blue/purple ink with recipe for a health drink.; and one copy of "Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills", stamped "D.C. McDougall Morley, AB" on the back cover.
File consists of one stamp book titled "Postage Stamp Album" on the front cover. Contains "Map of the Universal Postal Union" inside front cover, as well as 64 pages organized by country for placing collected postage stamps. Pages have basic statistics and facts pertaining to individual countries i…
File consists of one stamp book titled "Postage Stamp Album" on the front cover. Contains "Map of the Universal Postal Union" inside front cover, as well as 64 pages organized by country for placing collected postage stamps. Pages have basic statistics and facts pertaining to individual countries including populations, capital cities and monarchs' names. Some pages are annotated with small notes. Some stamps appear to have been removed from multiple pages. Two loose pages of poetry/verses are between the last page and back cover.
Notes
Date range provided by Processing Archivist based on textual contents.
File consists of study books used by Georgina Luxton during her time as a student at Wesleyan Ladies' College in Hamilton, Ontario. Includes one copy of "The Complete Vest-Pocket Library" [published 1893] with annotations on the first page, and a copy of the book "McBride's All Kinds of Dialogues" …
2 cm of textual records (2 volumes ; 10.5 x 16.5 cm and 7 x 14.5 cm)
Scope & Content
File consists of study books used by Georgina Luxton during her time as a student at Wesleyan Ladies' College in Hamilton, Ontario. Includes one copy of "The Complete Vest-Pocket Library" [published 1893] with annotations on the first page, and a copy of the book "McBride's All Kinds of Dialogues" book of short plays [ca. 1880- 1890].
Notes
First page of vest-pocket library book signed in black ink by Georgina Luxton [see "Content Details"].
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 one copy of the book "The Lady of the Lake" containing a [ca. 270-page] story written in prose with footnotes and illustrations. Item is signed on first page by May McDougall, dated 1898.
File consists of one copy of the book "The Lady of the Lake" containing a [ca. 270-page] story written in prose with footnotes and illustrations. Item is signed on first page by May McDougall, dated 1898.
Material Details
Book is bound in beige cloth with red, orange green and pink floral design.
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"
File consists of two souvenir books pertaining to the British Royal Family. Includes one copy of "Souvenir of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee" [1897] pertaining to the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria's coronation, and one copy of "Berrow's Coronation Souvenir" book pertaining to the coronation of 13…
0.5 cm of textual records (2 volumes ; 30.5 x 43 cm and 30 x 42 cm)
Scope & Content
File consists of two souvenir books pertaining to the British Royal Family. Includes one copy of "Souvenir of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee" [1897] pertaining to the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria's coronation, and one copy of "Berrow's Coronation Souvenir" book pertaining to the coronation of 13 British monarchs between 1690 and 1953, including Queen Elizabeth II.
File consists of 10 oversized holiday greeting cards, including one from Annie Whitaker with personal message on the back, one from The Standard Shoe Store in Banff, 6 from Stovel Company Limited and two sent to Eleanor Luxton from "Bill". Cards include lithograph images and printed paper copies of…
Art used in cards produced by Adrian Hill, Nicholas Hornyansky and Walter J. Phillips
Date Range
[1895-1910]
[1925-1930]
[1945-1960]
1946
1956
Physical Description
3 cm of textual records
Scope & Content
File consists of 10 oversized holiday greeting cards, including one from Annie Whitaker with personal message on the back, one from The Standard Shoe Store in Banff, 6 from Stovel Company Limited and two sent to Eleanor Luxton from "Bill". Cards include lithograph images and printed paper copies of art depicting Shakespeare's house in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England; landscapes and scenic waterfront views; and holiday-themed art designs. Two items in file are accompanied by original mailing envelopes addressed to Eleanor Luxton, 1956.
File consists of one scrapbook [bindings removed] pertaining to the McDougall family, the Southern Alberta Pioneers' and Old Timers' Association, the Calgary Stampede and other events within Banff, Morley and Calgary. Contents include newspaper clippings [ca. 1939-1952]; booklets, programmes and fl…
File consists of one scrapbook [bindings removed] pertaining to the McDougall family, the Southern Alberta Pioneers' and Old Timers' Association, the Calgary Stampede and other events within Banff, Morley and Calgary. Contents include newspaper clippings [ca. 1939-1952]; booklets, programmes and flyers for various community events; membership cards; and a scanned copy and one original copy of a journal dated 1862, titled "Rossville Mission Journal 1862". Journal contains early newspaper articles and correspondence pertaining to George and John McDougall, and multiple religious missions and settlements located in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
File consists of 34 photograph and postcard prints pertaining to friends of Norman Luxton and the Luxton family which were sent to Norman Luxton. Most photographs are annotated on the back with contextual information [dates, locations, names, etc] for photographs, some items include personal messag…
34 photographs : b&w prints ; 12.5 x 15 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 34 photograph and postcard prints pertaining to friends of Norman Luxton and the Luxton family which were sent to Norman Luxton. Most photographs are annotated on the back with contextual information [dates, locations, names, etc] for photographs, some items include personal messages written to Norman Luxton. Photograph images pertain to a fishing trip in Grande Prairie; men in military uniforms during World War II, including some taken during active duty in England; personal and group portraits; a war monument in Verdun, France; historic ships and boats; scenic views of Mistaya Canyon and Minnewanka; wildlife, including birds and a marten; and family pets.
Notes
Annotations on some photographs partly illegible or difficult to discern
File consists of two framed photograph prints pertaining to views of Lake Minnewanka and an unidentified building with mountains in the background [possibly a closer view of the same location]. Frames both include a label on the back attributing the photographs to Boorne & May Photographers of Calg…
Photographs produced by Boorne & May Photographers [Calgary, N.W.T.]
Date Range
[ca.1886-1893]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w framed prints ; 20 x 13.5 cm
History / Biographical
The company Boorne & May Photographers operated in Calgary and later Edmonton [then part of the Northwest Territories] between 1886 and 1893. Boorne & May specialized in print photographs depicting views of Western Canada and the Canadian Pacific Railway. Boorne and May sold their business to Jas. E. Miers in 1893.
Scope & Content
File consists of two framed photograph prints pertaining to views of Lake Minnewanka and an unidentified building with mountains in the background [possibly a closer view of the same location]. Frames both include a label on the back attributing the photographs to Boorne & May Photographers of Calgary.
Material Details
Photographs in identical oval frames [brass or gold-painted aluminum?]
Frame has glass front covering photograph print
Black backing of frame [material unknown] with spackled texture
Items interleaved with acid-free paper to protect frames, photograph prints do not appear to be at risk in current storage conditions [as of 2020-03-17, KS]
File consists of portraits depicting Stoney Nakoda families and individuals [some not identified] from the early and mid-1900s. Named individuals in photographs include members of the Hunter, Twoyoungmen, Crawler, McLean and Rollinmud families. Includes several early portraits by Byron Harmon [1906…
Some photographs produced by Byron Harmon; Items LUX/I/E6/PA-484 to 489 produced by Ernest Kehr; Item LUX/I/E6/PA-501 attributed to Nicholas Morant; Items LUX/I/E6/PA-522 and 523 produced by Buell Photography
Date Range
[ca.1884-1886]
1885
[ca.1890]
1902-1903
1906
[ca.1910-1920]
[ca.1930-1940]
1953
1958
Physical Description
58 photographs : b&w prints ; 21 x 25.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of portraits depicting Stoney Nakoda families and individuals [some not identified] from the early and mid-1900s. Named individuals in photographs include members of the Hunter, Twoyoungmen, Crawler, McLean and Rollinmud families. Includes several early portraits by Byron Harmon [1906]; 6 photograph prints on matboard depicting John Hunter and Job Stevens “staging a battle” [1903]; and two early photograph prints depicting Blackfoot Chief Crowfoot [1885] and Cree Chief Poundmaker. [ca.1884-1886].
Notes
Some names spelled incorrectly in original annotations on photographs, including name "Job Stephen[sic]" [Stevens]
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 4 loose prints and 4 prints on matboard backings. Content pertains to early events and views in Calgary, including bicycle races in 1896 and [ca.1900], Calgary Stampede event decorations [1912] and parade [postcard print, ca.1920-1930], and a view of Castle Hotel and a nearby gas s…
Two photographs [PA-214 & 215] produced by Boorne and May Ltd. of Calgary
Date Range
1896
[ca.1900]
1912
[ca.1920-1930]
Physical Description
4 photographs : b&w ; 14.5 x 9 cm or smaller -- 4 photographs : b&w prints on matboard ; 17.5 x 24 cm and 18 x 13 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of 4 loose prints and 4 prints on matboard backings. Content pertains to early events and views in Calgary, including bicycle races in 1896 and [ca.1900], Calgary Stampede event decorations [1912] and parade [postcard print, ca.1920-1930], and a view of Castle Hotel and a nearby gas station in Calgary. File also contains scanned paper copies of photographs depicting scenes in Calgary between 1875 and [ca.1915-1920]. Paper copies include early panoramic and “downtown” views of Calgary prior to 1900, the unveiling of a Royal Northwest Mounted Police memorial plaque [1917?], and a parade scene [ca.1915-1920].
Notes
Scanned paper copies of photographs in file do not have individual reference codes; source of images and location of originals unknown.
File consists of musical study booklets and sheet music belonging to various members of the McDougall and Luxton family, including Georgina McDougall [Luxton], Eleanor Luxton, May and Annie McDougall, and Ruth McDougall, and one book signed “Nina Wynn” of WLC [Wesleyan Ladies’ College]. Some items …
File consists of musical study booklets and sheet music belonging to various members of the McDougall and Luxton family, including Georgina McDougall [Luxton], Eleanor Luxton, May and Annie McDougall, and Ruth McDougall, and one book signed “Nina Wynn” of WLC [Wesleyan Ladies’ College]. Some items belonged to Georgina during her studies at Wesleyan Ladies' College in London, Ontario.