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 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 52 photographs pertaining to people, events and buildings in Morley, Alberta between 1880 and 1940. Includes images of the Morley Residential Indian School; the homes of various McDougall family members; McDougall Church; Stoney Nakoda community members posing with a priest and an …
52 photographs : b&w prints ; 25 x 19.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 52 photographs pertaining to people, events and buildings in Morley, Alberta between 1880 and 1940. Includes images of the Morley Residential Indian School; the homes of various McDougall family members; McDougall Church; Stoney Nakoda community members posing with a priest and an Indian Agent; Indigenous ceremonies and sports; Treaty Days celebrations; other buildings and views of Morley; and two images of Chief Tom Chiniquay.
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]
Sub-series consists of research notes relating to western Canadian history.
Title Source
Title based on contents of sub-series
Content Details
LIST OF FILES (LUX / II / B4 - 269 to 278 ) :
* 9 research notebooks, Canadian and western history research
* 1 research notebook
* 9 articles: "Fort Owen - A Chronology"; "Ukrainians in Canada"; "Esterhazy - Saskatchewan's Fifty-Year Old Magyar Settlement"; "Pioneer Spirit: Kaposvar The Oldest Hungarian Colony, 1886-1926"; Comment on "Pioneer Spirit"; "Steinbach: The First Mennonite Settlement in Western Canada"; "Icelanders in Canada"; "The Church and the Pioneering Life in Scandia"; "Across the Prairies Two Centures Ago."
* 1 research notebook
* 1 research notebook
* 0.7 cm research notes
* 1 research notebook
* 0.3 cm collected correspondence re Buffalo Hunt [1910-1974]
* 3.0 cm collected essays, correspondence and articles[1869-1955]
Sub-series consists of records relating to the McDougall and McKenzie families and include correspondence, articles, essays, biographies, research notes, a family Bible, hand drawn maps, genealogy charts, one Voicewriter disk; materials pertaining to the McDougall Memorial Service, June 8, 1975. A…
Sub-series consists of records relating to the McDougall and McKenzie families and include correspondence, articles, essays, biographies, research notes, a family Bible, hand drawn maps, genealogy charts, one Voicewriter disk; materials pertaining to the McDougall Memorial Service, June 8, 1975. Also included in this subseries are materials related to the McKenzie-McDougall Family Reunion of October 10, 1993.
Title Source
Title based on contents of sub-series
Content Details
LIST OF FILES (LUX / II / B4 - 279 to 302 ) :
* f 279 - 1 cm Annie McDougall correspondence, 1873-1927
* f 280 - 1.5 cm David McDougall correspondence, 1875-1906
* f 281 - 1 cm David McDougall - Legal and Financial, 1873-1932
* f 282 - 1 cm David McDougall - blank letterhead; post card showing the McDougall Block, Calgary; book of Shakespeare's writing; copy of David McDougall's Certificate of Membership in the Southern Alberta Pioneers' and Old Timers' Association, 1865 (original in oversize storage); wedding invitation of Georgiana Elizabeth McDougall and Norman K. Luxton,1904; grocery list for Tom Wilson, McDougall Register, June 2 1888
* f 283 - 2 items, letter from Calgary Brewing & Malting Co. Limited to David L. McDougall, 1960 and 29th Annual Old Time Range Men's Dinner Menu, 1960
* f 284 - 2 - 3 1/2" floppy disks; 15 pp (printed from floppy disks) of biographical material on Kenneth MacKenzie, Rev. George M. and Elizabeth (Chantler) McDougall, letter from Eleanor Luxton to Robert McKenzie, David and Annie McDougall, Frederick and Jean Graham, Frederick Montgomery Graham, Christmas letter from Eleanor Luxton, 1994.
* f 285 - 2 research notebooks, McDougall family research
* f 286 - 3 cm research notes and notebook; index to Annie McDougall book
* f 287 - 1 cm Annie McDougall research
* f 288 - 1.5 cm McDougall research
* f 289 - 3 cm McDougall research
* f 290 - 1.5 cm McDougall research
* f 291 - 2 cm McDougall family research
* f 292 - 2 cm McDougall family research
* f 293 - 2 cm McDougall family research includes hand drawn maps, biographical material and correspondence related to Kenneth McKenzie family
* f 294 - 0.3 cm McDougall family research; Hall-MacKenzie[sic] Lineage and family trees
* f 295 - 1 item, biographical material related to Libby McDougall Young
* f 296 - 2 VHS videocassettes, McKenzie-McDougall Family Reunion, October 10,1993
* f 297 - 10 colour photographs (with identifications), McKenzie-McDougall Family Reunion, October 10, 1993
* f 298 - 4 items: 1 guest register, 1 invitation, 1 program of events, 1 mailing list of invitees, McKenzie-McDougall Family Reunion, October 10, 1993
* f 299 - 2 audiocassettes: McDougall Memorial Service, June 8, 1975
* f 300 - 1 Edison Voicewriter disk: [No.18 McDougall?]
* f 301 - 14 pp: 1 manuscript "Memories of Mrs. David McDougall" written by Norman K. Luxton
* f 302 - 12 items: 1 Bible, annotated, belonging to Annie McDougall; 5 photographs: prints, b&w; 3 pp notes; 1 newspaper obituary for Carling (Photographs and notes were inserted into the pages. 2 pp copies of photographs as photographs are fading and )
File consists of 31 photograph prints ordered by Eleanor Luxton from Canadian Pacific. Photographs pertain to construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Canadian Pacific trains and ships, and historic views of Banff, Calgary, Fort McLeod, Strathcona and Edmonton.
31 photographs : b&w prints ; 24 x 18 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 31 photograph prints ordered by Eleanor Luxton from Canadian Pacific. Photographs pertain to construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Canadian Pacific trains and ships, and historic views of Banff, Calgary, Fort McLeod, Strathcona and Edmonton.
Notes
Prints in file were produced by Canadian Pacific for Eleanor Luxton between 1946 and 1949; original dates of images
Photographs in file are accompanied by Canadian Pacific mailing envelope addressed to Eleanor Luxton
File consists of copy negatives of images from the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies which were collected by Eleanor Luxton for research purposes. Content pertains to early views of Banff and local businesses, including: Norman Luxton and coworkers outside of the Crag and Canyon; Banff Indian Da…
Photographs copied from original materials owned by the Whyte Museum
Date Range
[ca.1900-1930]
Physical Description
36 photographs : b&w negatives ; 9.5 x 12 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of copy negatives of images from the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies which were collected by Eleanor Luxton for research purposes. Content pertains to early views of Banff and local businesses, including: Norman Luxton and coworkers outside of the Crag and Canyon; Banff Indian Days and Banff Winter Carnival events; trap shooting, cross country skiing, skating and other sports; dog sled and hiking trips; and related subjects.
Notes
Original print copies processed and stored separately as LUX/II/B5/PA-124 to 159
File consists of copy photographs from the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies which were collected by Eleanor Luxton for research purposes. Content pertains to early views of Banff and local businesses and views, including: various views of Banff Avenue; the Bow River Boathouse; the Frank Lloyd W…
Photographs copied from original materials owned by the Whyte Museum
Date Range
[ca.1887-1930]
Physical Description
53 photographs : b&w prints ; 17.5 x 12.5 cm and 25 x 20 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of copy photographs from the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies which were collected by Eleanor Luxton for research purposes. Content pertains to early views of Banff and local businesses and views, including: various views of Banff Avenue; the Bow River Boathouse; the Frank Lloyd Wright Pavilion; Norman Luxton and coworkers outside of the Crag and Canyon; Banff Indian Days and Banff Winter Carnival events; trap shooting, cross country skiing, skating and other sports; dog sled and hiking trips; and related subjects.
Notes
Prints LUX/II/B5/PA-124 to 159 originally accompanied by b&w copy negatives (9.5 x 12 cm) in yellow envelope; negatives have been stored separately and numbered as items LUX / II / B5 / NA - 83 to 118.
Series consists of textual records and photographs pertaining to Eleanor Luxton's personal life, including Eleanor's hobbies, travel, volunteering and collected materials.
2.6 m textual records -- oversize textual records -- photographs
Scope & Content
Series consists of textual records and photographs pertaining to Eleanor Luxton's personal life, including Eleanor's hobbies, travel, volunteering and collected materials.
Notes
Series consists of 6 sub-series:
C1 : Volunteer activities: Records in this sub-series pertain to Eleanor Luxton's involement with the Junior Red Cross, the Canadian Women's Press Club, the Historical Society of Alberta, and the Southern Alberta Women's Pioneer and Old Timers' Association.
C2 : Scrapbooks
C3 : Diaries, daybooks, notebooks, notes
C4 : Travel and hobbies
C5 : Other (includes personal government documents, business and membership cards and some personal correspondence)
Sub-series consists of textual and visual materials pertaining to the history of Southern Alberta. Includes personal accounts, day books and diaries, genealogical research, records of livestock and other trade, and portrait and group photographs depicting early settlers of Southern Alberta. Materia…
29 cm of textual records -- 29 photographs (28 b&w prints, 1 tintype) ; 20 x 25 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
Sub-series consists of textual and visual materials pertaining to the history of Southern Alberta. Includes personal accounts, day books and diaries, genealogical research, records of livestock and other trade, and portrait and group photographs depicting early settlers of Southern Alberta. Materials in sub-series believed to have been collected by Eleanor Luxton, possibly on behalf of the Southern Alberta Pioneers' and Old Timers' Association or as part of Eleanor's personal research.
File consists of one volume titled "Calgary Alberta: Her Industries and Rersources", 1885. Content pertains to local businesses, churches, schools and other community resources in Calgary.
File consists of one volume titled "Calgary Alberta: Her Industries and Rersources", 1885. Content pertains to local businesses, churches, schools and other community resources in Calgary.
Material Details
Red covers with red, yellow and green marbled interior pages (first and last pages and inside covers only)
File consists of one scrapbook containing two unidentified portraits of men and one family photograph, as well as collected correspondence, newspaper clippings and other documents. Content mostly pertains to the deaths of James Frederick Morden, Robert John Kerr and Ovide Smith of Pincher Creek, Al…
5.5 cm of textual records (1 scrapbook : 119 pages ; 24.5 x 31 cm) -- 3 photographs : 2 b&w cabinet cards and 1 b&w print ; 27.5 x 22 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of one scrapbook containing two unidentified portraits of men and one family photograph, as well as collected correspondence, newspaper clippings and other documents. Content mostly pertains to the deaths of James Frederick Morden, Robert John Kerr and Ovide Smith of Pincher Creek, Alberta while fighting in Honing Spruit, South Africa in 1900 during the Boer War. Contents include condolence letters sent to James Morden's wife, as well as various related newspaper articles and a booklet commemorating the erection of a plaque at Pincher Creek Memorial Hospital in 1902 in their honour. Scrapbook contents also include other obituary articles commemorating James Frederick Morden's father and mother, Albert Milton Morden and Sarah Morden; and Adelaide Maud Hewetson of Pincher Creek.
Notes
Scrapbook possibly compiled by James Frederick Morden's wife (name unknown).
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 landscapes, community events, portraits and group photographs of individuals from Calgary and other areas of Southern Alberta. Includes early views of buildings in Calgary and area, sports teams and athletic competitions, a parade, a 1901 camping trip to Yoho, unidentified individu…
28 photographs : b&w prints ; 25 x 20 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of landscapes, community events, portraits and group photographs of individuals from Calgary and other areas of Southern Alberta. Includes early views of buildings in Calgary and area, sports teams and athletic competitions, a parade, a 1901 camping trip to Yoho, unidentified individuals on horseback, and related materials.
Series consists of textual records, photographs and video and sound recordings collected by Eleanor Luxton. Contents include various published and unpublished materials, including sheet music, correspondence, books about Canadian and Indigenous history, magazines, souvenir publications, travel guid…
37.0 cm textual records.-- photographs.-- 74 cm sound recordings
Scope & Content
Series consists of textual records, photographs and video and sound recordings collected by Eleanor Luxton. Contents include various published and unpublished materials, including sheet music, correspondence, books about Canadian and Indigenous history, magazines, souvenir publications, travel guides, and pamphlets; visual materials, including commercial postcards, portraits of Georginal Luxton and other family members, photographs of the Tilikum on display in Victoria, and a portfolio of illustrated Stoney Nakoda portraits by R.H. Palenske; oral histories recorded and collected by Eleanor Luxton; and a VHS copy of "Qualicum Wind".
Notes
Series consists of four sub-series:
Textual records
Photographs
Oral Histories (includes printed interview transcripts; transcripts in electronic format written to CD Rom and 3.5" floppy disk; supporting documentation; the recorded interviews on audio cassettes and R120 DAT tapes)
Records in this sub-series consist of collected material including historical material on the Central United Church of Calgary, the Indian Act, Norman Luxton, written plays, poems, sheet music for "Where the Rockies Meet the Sky", collected speeches.
Records in this sub-series consist of collected material including historical material on the Central United Church of Calgary, the Indian Act, Norman Luxton, written plays, poems, sheet music for "Where the Rockies Meet the Sky", collected speeches.