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 invitations, programs, brochures and other documents pertaining to the Southern Alberta Pioneers' and Old Timers' Association. Includes two copies of a "Constitution and By-Laws" booklet, invitations and programs for Annual Round-Up and banquet events [various years], and two copie…
File consists of invitations, programs, brochures and other documents pertaining to the Southern Alberta Pioneers' and Old Timers' Association. Includes two copies of a "Constitution and By-Laws" booklet, invitations and programs for Annual Round-Up and banquet events [various years], and two copies of an address given by Eleanor Luxton to the Association in 1956 titled "The Golden Link".
File consists of 6 published pamphlets and booklets, and an undated "Red Cross Banff" paper logo. Content pertains to a Teacher's Association event in Calgary in 1939; the Calgary Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; a collection of transcribed letters sent to William McMurray of the H…
1.2 cm of textual records (6 volumes ; 17.5 x 21 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 6 published pamphlets and booklets, and an undated "Red Cross Banff" paper logo. Content pertains to a Teacher's Association event in Calgary in 1939; the Calgary Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; a collection of transcribed letters sent to William McMurray of the Hudson's Bay Company which were read before the Historical and Scientific Society of Manitoba [1950]; a report by the Social Science Research Council of Canada; Alberta Blue Cross membership information; and a copy of "Pioneer Naturalists of the Rocky Mountains and the Selkirks" published for the Calgary Field Naturalists' Society with a note to Eleanor Luxton from author Beryl Hallworth.
File consists of one personal planner/diary for 1983 which belonged to Eleanor Luxton. Content pertains to daily accounts by Eleanor Luxton: includes weather reports, plans with various friends and family members, errands and events attended by Eleanor in Banff, Calgary and other local areas.
File consists of one personal planner/diary for 1983 which belonged to Eleanor Luxton. Content pertains to daily accounts by Eleanor Luxton: includes weather reports, plans with various friends and family members, errands and events attended by Eleanor in Banff, Calgary and other local areas.
Material Details
Planner has plastic cover protector on front and metal ring bindings
File consists of invoices, receipts, financial statements and other documents sent to Eleanor Luxton. Content pertains to philatelic [stamps and other ephemera] orders from the Royal Mint and Canada Post; receipts and renewal forms for subscriptions to publications, including Maclean's Magazine, Fi…
File consists of invoices, receipts, financial statements and other documents sent to Eleanor Luxton. Content pertains to philatelic [stamps and other ephemera] orders from the Royal Mint and Canada Post; receipts and renewal forms for subscriptions to publications, including Maclean's Magazine, Financial Times, Reader's Digest, and newsletters for various charities and organizations; financial statements for Eleanor Luxton's credit accounts at Birk's, Woodward's and Eaton's; documents pertaining to publishing contracts and royalty agreements between Summerthought Ltd. and Gray's Publishing Ltd., and Eleanor Luxton; and other miscellaneous business and financial documents.
Notes
Contents arranged by subject:
LUX / II / D / 210 & 211 : Philatelic orders
LUX / II / D / 212 : Subscription receipts and renewals
LUX / II / D / 213 : Other financial accounts
LUX / II / D / 214 : Publishing contracts and royalties
LUX / II / D / 215 : Other materials
File consists of advertisements, programs, itineraries, information booklets and brochures pertaining to Banff Winter Carnival events held between 1921 and 1958, and an affiliated "Grand Prix" dog racing event in 1923. File also includes an invitation to a Banff Winter Carnival Homecoming Reunion e…
File consists of advertisements, programs, itineraries, information booklets and brochures pertaining to Banff Winter Carnival events held between 1921 and 1958, and an affiliated "Grand Prix" dog racing event in 1923. File also includes an invitation to a Banff Winter Carnival Homecoming Reunion event [1980].
Notes
Items in file are arranged chronologically
File contains numerous duplicates, some of which have been temporarily removed from file
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 pamphlets, event programmes, information booklets, song books, bound publications and other published materials collected by members of the Luxton family. Content pertains to community events, including Banff and Calgary area trapshooting tournaments and organization meetings; an e…
File consists of pamphlets, event programmes, information booklets, song books, bound publications and other published materials collected by members of the Luxton family. Content pertains to community events, including Banff and Calgary area trapshooting tournaments and organization meetings; an exhibit opening at the Glenbow Museum [1981]; scientific theory and human evolution; Japanese study books; Canadian and global politics; international travel; and various other subjects.
Items in file are organized into 4 file folders based on contents:
LUX / II / F1 / 67 : Pamphlets, event programs and booklets
LUX / II / F1 / 68 : Booklets and small publications
LUX / II / F1 / 69 : Books and bound publications
LUX / II / F1 / 70 : Loose and other published materials
File consists of three invitations from the University of Alberta addressed to Eleanor Luxton. Content pertains to a basketball game and facilities tour event at the Banff Centre, the installation of Paul Davenport as President of the University of Alberta, and a President's Council dinner event at…
File consists of three invitations from the University of Alberta addressed to Eleanor Luxton. Content pertains to a basketball game and facilities tour event at the Banff Centre, the installation of Paul Davenport as President of the University of Alberta, and a President's Council dinner event at the university.
Fonds includes textual records and photographs generated and collected by the Wilson family and pertaining to Tom Wilson, son Ed Wilson, daughter Ada Wilson and other family members. Textual records include: Ed Wilson's scrapbook, 1881-1968, which includes mainly items pertaining to Tom Wilson, Ed …
2 v. and 2 cm of textual records. -- ca.400 photographs : prints, copy negatives. -- 1 cm of print material
History / Biographical
The Wilson family were guides, outfitters and ranchers at Morley, Kootenay Plains, Banff and Nordegg, Alberta, Canada. Thomas Edmonds (Tom) Wilson, 1859- 1933, and Minnie McDougall Wilson, 1865-1936, had six children, including sons John Clark Wilson, 1888-1932, and Thomas Edmonds (Ed) Wilson, 1892-1973. Daughters were Ada, 1886-1967?, Rene, Bessie and Dora. Tom Wilson is credited with the discovery of Lake Louise in July of 1882, while working as a packer on the Canadian Pacific Railway survey through the mountains. In 1883, Wilson established his own business at Banff, Lake Louise and Field, British Columbia. After selling the business in 1904, Tom Wilson operated a horse ranch at Kootenay Plains. He later retired to Banff. Ed Wilson was born at Morley and raised in Banff. Around 1910 he began working for Brewster Trading Company at Banff and, later, Lake Louise. Just before the First World War, he moved to Nordegg, where he worked for the Bighorn Trading Company for many years.
Scope & Content
Fonds includes textual records and photographs generated and collected by the Wilson family and pertaining to Tom Wilson, son Ed Wilson, daughter Ada Wilson and other family members.
Textual records include: Ed Wilson's scrapbook, 1881-1968, which includes mainly items pertaining to Tom Wilson, Ed Wilson, the Wilson family, and early guiding and exploration in the Canadian Rockies (photocopy in two volumes); miscellaneous papers, 1905-1929, including a holograph speech by D. D. Galletly on the cave at Banff; letter and note re sale of horses to Frank Wellman, 1920; letters to Catharine Whyte from Ada Wilson re personal matters and Wilson family history, 1964-1965; transcripts of manuscripts by Tom Wilson and B. M. (Bess) Wilson re the CPR and tourism and 1916 pack trip Lake Louise to Kootenay Plains; letters of Col. Robert O'Hara to Tom Wilson, 1895- 1914, re Mount Assiniboine and Lake O'Hara; letter by Catharine Robb Whyte to Tom Link, 1965, re Lake O'Hara history based partly upon above material; diary, Trip to ranch by B. M. Wilson; essay, The last of the pathfinders by Dorie (Wilson) Legit; programmes, articles, clippings re Tom Wilson, 1924-1982; Eliza Edmonds certificate, 1845, and later clipping.
Photographs pertain to outfitting and guiding activities of Tom, John and Ed Wilson, including clients, associates and trips throughout the Rocky Mountains; Wilson family, friends and associates; Stoney Indians; Kootenay Plains; Banff people and events; Banff townsite and surrounding area; Canadian Pacific Railway; Nordegg area; 1861-1930. Includes photograph of Tom Wilson at Lake Louise inscribed to A. O. Wheeler, 1932. Many of the early photographs were taken by clients of Tom Wilson. Later, after settling at Kootenay Plains, Wilson was apparently given a camera by Mary Vaux and likely took many of the Stoney Indians views. Ed Wilson was an amateur photographer and likely took most of the views of staff at Lake Louise and of Nordegg.