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 Eleanor Luxton's personal album which contains 195 black and white prints pasted in, most spreads are captioned. Content pertains to family and school photographs, events and travels between 1921 and 1925, in addition to potentional childhood photographs as well. Locations include …
Photograph Album: 1 image from album (195 b&w prints)
Scope & Content
File consists of Eleanor Luxton's personal album which contains 195 black and white prints pasted in, most spreads are captioned. Content pertains to family and school photographs, events and travels between 1921 and 1925, in addition to potentional childhood photographs as well. Locations include Banff, Lake Louise, Yoho, Marble Canyon, Takakkaw Falls, Lake Minnewanka, Summit Lake, Victoria, Vancouver, Yoho Valley Bungalow Camp and Radium Hot Springs. Events include the opening of the Banff-Wintermere Highway at Kootenay Crossing in 1921, a dog derby on frozen Lake Minnewanka, Banff Indian Days, Banff Winter Carnival. Subjects include unidentified and identified people including Norman Luxton, Georgina Luxton, Enos Hunter, Ben Kaquitts, Hector Crawler, John Englishman, Mrs. Wood, Edmée, Mrs Mitt and Miss Maemillan. Album cover is leather with burned annotation "Snap Shots" with paint and cloth leaf detailing. The album i sbound by a cord with leather tassels.
Notes
File consists of several loose photographs. Some photographs are detaching from the paper.
File consists of Christmas, birthday and Father's Day cards sent to Norman Luxton. Includes Christmas cards from D[onald] "Dan" H. Bain, Eleanor Luxton, Karen Williamsen[?], Red Cathcart and "Pete"; an undated birthday card from Eleanor; and two Father's Day cards from Eleanor [ca.1950-1960?]. Card…
File consists of Christmas, birthday and Father's Day cards sent to Norman Luxton. Includes Christmas cards from D[onald] "Dan" H. Bain, Eleanor Luxton, Karen Williamsen[?], Red Cathcart and "Pete"; an undated birthday card from Eleanor; and two Father's Day cards from Eleanor [ca.1950-1960?]. Card from D. H. Bain has photograph printed on front and personal letter on back.
Notes
Card from Donald H. Bain signed with nickname, "Dan"
Material Details
Christmas card from "Pete" has small brown feather attached to front on bottom left corner
File consists of 16 photographs depicting Norman Luxton and his immediate family. Includes professional portraits of Georgina Luxton; images of Eleanor Luxton as a young girl; professional portraits of Eleanor as a student and adult; portraits of a dog belonging to the Luxton family; professional p…
16 photographs : b&w prints ; 40 x 50 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 16 photographs depicting Norman Luxton and his immediate family. Includes professional portraits of Georgina Luxton; images of Eleanor Luxton as a young girl; professional portraits of Eleanor as a student and adult; portraits of a dog belonging to the Luxton family; professional portraits of Norman Luxton; and photographs depicting Norman Luxton meeting Princess Margaret during her royal visit to Banff in 1958.
File consists of professional portraits and photographs of Eleanor Luxton as a baby and child. Includes photographs of Eleanor being held by her parents, Norman and Georgina Luxton.
Photographs attributed to Byron Harmon and G. & W. Fear
Date Range
[1909-1915]
Physical Description
22 photographs : b&w prints ; 13.5 x 22.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of professional portraits and photographs of Eleanor Luxton as a baby and child. Includes photographs of Eleanor being held by her parents, Norman and Georgina Luxton.
Notes
Some photographs in file are duplicates of photographs in album LUX / II / C / PD - 3
File consists of portraits and other photographs pertaining to Norman Luxton, his extended relatives and friends. Name individuals include: Eleanor and Georgina Luxton; George, Ada and Patricia Luxton (Norman's brother, sister-in-law and niece); Louis Luxton, Harry Addison Luxton and Harold Malloch…
Some photographs produced by: Algot Anderson (St Paul), Byron Harmon (Banff), Nelson Photo Studios (St Paul), Ambassador Atelier (St Paul), Zintsmaster (Minneapolis), Frank Cooper (London, Ontario), Steele and Co [Coy?] (Winnipeg), A.H. Opsahl (Minneapolis), Rembrandt Grand (St Paul), Geo. E. Luxton (Minneaplos Times), Reynolds Studio (Minneapolis), Perkins, J. Douglas Eckhert (St Paul), Calgary Photo Supply Co, Pringle & Booth (Toronto), Glenbow Foundation, J [Rosrit?] Calgary Herald Photographer, Robert Lefroy
Date Range
1886
[1890-1900]
1894
1899
[ca.1900]
1904
1906-1907
1920-1921
[1920-1930]
1930
1937
1939-1940
1950
[1950-1960]
1962
Physical Description
63 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 25 x 20.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of portraits and other photographs pertaining to Norman Luxton, his extended relatives and friends. Name individuals include: Eleanor and Georgina Luxton; George, Ada and Patricia Luxton (Norman's brother, sister-in-law and niece); Louis Luxton, Harry Addison Luxton and Harold Malloch Luxton (Norman's brothers); Mary Hosking Groeber (Norman's niece); Olive Luxton Hosking (Norman's sister), her husband Edgar and her daughter Dorothy; and Eleanor "Nellie" Luxton Foster (Norman's sister).
Notes
Some photographs are annotated.
PA-15 is annotated at Emerald Lake, this is now known as Lake Louise
File consists of prints and negatives depicting Banff Winter Carnival events including ski jumping, hockey, figure skating, log chopping competitions, toboggan races, swimming contests, dog sled races, ice sculptures and queen contests between 1920 and 1949, primarily from the 1920s. Includes snows…
Date Range
1920-1922
1922
[ca. 1940s]
1942
1949
Reference Code
LUX / I / D3b / 2 / NA - 01 to NA - 93
LUX / I / D3b / 2 / PA - 01 to PA - 71
164 photographs : 93 b&w negatives ; 14 x 8 cm or smaller : 71 b&w prints ; 23.5 x 19.5 cm or smaller
History / Biographical
Banff Winter Carnival, also known as Winter Sports of the Canadian Rockies, was the first post-war winter sports programme held in Banff, Alberta. The organization had Banff directors, Calgary directors and Directors-at-large from Alberta and outside the province. A wide variety of social and sports events took place under the organization's direction.
Scope & Content
File consists of prints and negatives depicting Banff Winter Carnival events including ski jumping, hockey, figure skating, log chopping competitions, toboggan races, swimming contests, dog sled races, ice sculptures and queen contests between 1920 and 1949, primarily from the 1920s. Includes snowshoe hikes, Sunshine Ski Camp, and personal motor trips to Lake Minnewanka. File includes photographs and prints by Lou Crosby, Dan McCowan, Byron Harmon. Some prints are stamped or annotated by the photographer and include processing receipts and original housing envelopes.
Notes
PA-01 to PA-09 are associated to negatives NA-49 to NA-57. Copy and duplicate prints associated with some negatives
Series consists of cards, postcards, letters, and other correspondence which was sent to and/or collected by Eleanor Luxton. Content pertains to holiday and birthday greetings from family and friends, get well soon cards, collected gift tags, travel correspondence, and related subjects.
Series consists of cards, postcards, letters, and other correspondence which was sent to and/or collected by Eleanor Luxton. Content pertains to holiday and birthday greetings from family and friends, get well soon cards, collected gift tags, travel correspondence, and related subjects.
Notes
Series arrangement:
LUX / II / A / 1 to 47 : General correspondence, organized chronologically (see Content Details)
LUX / II / A / 48 to 51 : Holiday greeting cards, dated (chronological order)
LUX / II / A / 52 to 62 : Holiday greeting cards, not dated
LUX / II / A / 63 : Holiday gift tags
LUX / II / A / 64 to 65 : Thank you, friendship and get well soon cards
LUX / II / A / 66 to 67 : Easter and Valentine's Day cards
LUX / II / A / 68 to 70 : Birthday cards
LUX / II / A / 71 : Other holiday cards and letters
LUX / II / A / 72 : Postcards sent to Eleanor
LUX / II / A / 73 : Luxton family research correspondence
File consists of personal mail sent to or from Eleanor Luxton between ca. 1915 and 1980. Content pertains to Valentine's day letters between Eleanor and her parents, Norman and Georgina; a personal greeting card sent from "Aida" [n.d.]; a greeting card titled "To Father" [possibly sent from Eleanor…
File consists of personal mail sent to or from Eleanor Luxton between ca. 1915 and 1980. Content pertains to Valentine's day letters between Eleanor and her parents, Norman and Georgina; a personal greeting card sent from "Aida" [n.d.]; a greeting card titled "To Father" [possibly sent from Eleanor to Norman Luxton]; a letter addressed to Eleanor from Alberta Theatre Projects with a ticket order form for local performances [1973]; a letter from Laura Oakander sent to Eleanor thanking her for a donation to the McDougall Stoney Mission Society [1980]; and invitations to round-up events hosted by the Southern Alberta Pioneers' and Old Timers' Association.
Notes
Most items in file are not dated; part of date range is estimate by the Processing Archivist based on context and formatting of contents in file