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 pertains to photograph prints depicting boats, settlements, and buildings in Somoa. Also includes one photograph of the Tilikum on display (in Australia?)
PA-03 to PA-12 attributed to J. Davis Photo studio in Samoa
Date Range
[1901-1902]
Physical Description
16 photographs : 6 prints : 10 mounted prints ; 35.4 x 28 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File pertains to photograph prints depicting boats, settlements, and buildings in Somoa. Also includes one photograph of the Tilikum on display (in Australia?)
Notes
Some mounted photographs have pencil annotations on mat. Annotations on bottom left corner of mounted photographs PA-03 to PA-12, photographer signature "J. Davis Photo, Samoa", potentially John Davis (https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22365748, https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG177292).
Copy negative of PA-15 in file
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 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)
Records in this series relate to Eleanor Luxton's business, legal and financial activities and consist of banking records; income tax returns; correspondence and invoices related to property and building construction, maintenance and management; household receipts; medical receipts; commercial and …
4.8 m textual records -- oversize materials -- 31 photographs (15 prints, 16 negatives)
Scope & Content
Records in this series relate to Eleanor Luxton's business, legal and financial activities and consist of banking records; income tax returns; correspondence and invoices related to property and building construction, maintenance and management; household receipts; medical receipts; commercial and residential leases; insurance; investments; donations; rentals; legal papers relating to the estate of Annie McDougall and May Ross McDougall; mortgage papers; Parks Canada Lease agreements and need to reside challenge; Eleanor Luxton's living will.
Notes
Contents arranged by subject - see file level descriptions
Files consist of copies of commercial leases for Eleanor Luxton's Banff property Block 1, Lot 20. Includes one folder of notes and photographs compiled by Eleanor Luxton pertaining to the addition of a new roof at 203 Caribou Street in Banff.
6 cm of textual records -- 21 photographs : col. prints ; 15 x 10 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
Files consist of copies of commercial leases for Eleanor Luxton's Banff property Block 1, Lot 20. Includes one folder of notes and photographs compiled by Eleanor Luxton pertaining to the addition of a new roof at 203 Caribou Street in Banff.
Notes
One illustrated layout plan and three-dimensional drawing depicting the front of the Magpie and Stump restaurant in Banff was removed from folder LUX/II/D/85. Item has been moved to oversize storage, with reference number LUX/II/D/220.
File consists of 19 postcard prints by company Cross & Dimmitt depicting views of the Columbia River Highway in Portland, Oregon and the surrounding region [ca.1918-1925]. File also contains original storage envelope for postcards.
File consists of 19 postcard prints by company Cross & Dimmitt depicting views of the Columbia River Highway in Portland, Oregon and the surrounding region [ca.1918-1925]. File also contains original storage envelope for postcards.
Notes
Specific dates unknown; date range is estimate based on production era, content and format of postcards.
File consists of 6 postcard prints pertaining to events at the Calgary Stampede in 1927. Includes images of participants riding horses and cattle during calf roping and other rodeo events. Named individuals in photographs are : Ted McCroey, Chester Byers, Walter Heacock, Emil Small Face, Cheyenne K…
File consists of 6 postcard prints pertaining to events at the Calgary Stampede in 1927. Includes images of participants riding horses and cattle during calf roping and other rodeo events. Named individuals in photographs are : Ted McCroey, Chester Byers, Walter Heacock, Emil Small Face, Cheyenne Kaiser, and T. Parchuk.
Material Details
Items each annotated on front side in white lettering at bottom of image; back sides are blank
File consists of 15 photographs collected by member(s) of the Luxton family. Photographs mostly consist of portraits, postcard prints and group photographs of unidentified individuals.
15 photographs : b&w prints ; 23 x 33.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 15 photographs collected by member(s) of the Luxton family. Photographs mostly consist of portraits, postcard prints and group photographs of unidentified individuals.
File consists of 2 photograph prints pertaining to David Hardisty McDougall and his wife Annie's 50th wedding anniversary party in 1958, which was held at their ranch near Cochrane, Alberta; and the wedding of Virginia and George Dutchik.
File consists of 2 photograph prints pertaining to David Hardisty McDougall and his wife Annie's 50th wedding anniversary party in 1958, which was held at their ranch near Cochrane, Alberta; and the wedding of Virginia and George Dutchik.
File consists of 35 photographs sent to Eleanor Luxton by various friends and family between 1957 and 1990. Includes family photographs, child portraits, interior views of the Luxton family home, and a photograph of Norman Luxton posing with his brothers Louis and George Luxton and two of Norman's …
35 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 25.5 x 17.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 35 photographs sent to Eleanor Luxton by various friends and family between 1957 and 1990. Includes family photographs, child portraits, interior views of the Luxton family home, and a photograph of Norman Luxton posing with his brothers Louis and George Luxton and two of Norman's dogs.
Notes
Some photographs in file are accompanied by scanned copies of original letters sent to Eleanor Luxton with photographs.
File consists of 15 photographs pertaining to the 100th anniversary celebration of the McDougall Church's construction in Morley, and a Sundance ceremony.
15 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 13 x 9 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 15 photographs pertaining to the 100th anniversary celebration of the McDougall Church's construction in Morley, and a Sundance ceremony.
File consists of 5 photographs collected by Eleanor Luxton. Photographs pertain to a metal buffalo figurine attributed to "Dingwall" of Winnipeg (possibly Donald Ross Dingwall); an unidentified metal sculptor in his studio; a portrait of Ernie Kehr addressed to Norman (Luxton?); Canadian Pacific Lo…
Photographs produced by Photographic Branch, Government of Alberta; and Bruno Engler, Alpine Films
Date Range
[ca.1900-1920]
[ca.1940-1960]
1986
Physical Description
5 photographs : b&w prints ; 20.5 x 27.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 5 photographs collected by Eleanor Luxton. Photographs pertain to a metal buffalo figurine attributed to "Dingwall" of Winnipeg (possibly Donald Ross Dingwall); an unidentified metal sculptor in his studio; a portrait of Ernie Kehr addressed to Norman (Luxton?); Canadian Pacific Locomotive 1201 travelling through Kicking Horse Pass as part of Expo 86 celebrations; and a copy portrait of an unidentified woman, early 1900s.
File consists of 18 oversized photographs depicting friends and extended family members of the Luxton/McDougall family. Includes individual portraits of George Ross, Dorothy [Graham Ingraham?] in a wedding gown, Annie McDougall, and David Nawash McDougall; a family portrait including three unidenti…
18 photographs : b&w prints ; 40 x 50 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 18 oversized photographs depicting friends and extended family members of the Luxton/McDougall family. Includes individual portraits of George Ross, Dorothy [Graham Ingraham?] in a wedding gown, Annie McDougall, and David Nawash McDougall; a family portrait including three unidentified women and a baby; unidentified child portraits; group portraits of men [possibly politicians] including George Ross; F. Leslie Sara posing with a pipe; and Pete McElroy surrounded by several dogs.
File consists of 8 photographs pertaining to members of the Southern Alberta Pioneers and Old Timers' Association. Individuals in photographs include Norman Luxton, George Ross, David Hardisty McDougall and Annie (McKenzie Hall) McDougall.
Photographs LUX/I/D6/PA-3 and 4 attributed to Harry Befus and Jack De Lorme, Calgary Herald photographers
Date Range
[ca.1940-1960]
Physical Description
8 photographs : b&w prints ; 36 x 31 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of 8 photographs pertaining to members of the Southern Alberta Pioneers and Old Timers' Association. Individuals in photographs include Norman Luxton, George Ross, David Hardisty McDougall and Annie (McKenzie Hall) McDougall.
File consists of 4 photographs pertaining to speeches and a ceremony, possibly part of Banff Indian Days celebrations, 1937. Includes groups gathered on a stage and one posed group portrait of mostly Indigenous men.
File consists of 4 photographs pertaining to speeches and a ceremony, possibly part of Banff Indian Days celebrations, 1937. Includes groups gathered on a stage and one posed group portrait of mostly Indigenous men.
File consists of 3 photographs pertaining to the North-West Mounted Police and the Canadian Women's Army Corps. Photographs depict two officers and a horse outside of a NWMP barracks; Sergeant Major Flintoff on horseback in a residential area; and a group photograph of the No. 10 Platoon - B Compan…
3 photographs : b&w prints ; 35.5 x 26 cm or smaller
History / Biographical
The Canadian Women's Army Corps was authorized as an organization by the Canadian Government in 1941, and was officially integrated into the Canadian Army in March 1942.
Scope & Content
File consists of 3 photographs pertaining to the North-West Mounted Police and the Canadian Women's Army Corps. Photographs depict two officers and a horse outside of a NWMP barracks; Sergeant Major Flintoff on horseback in a residential area; and a group photograph of the No. 10 Platoon - B Company of the Canadian Women's Army Corps (1943). Jean Mary Ross is pictured in the group photograph.
Notes
Item LUX/I/E4/PA-685 annotated on bottom right corner; writing is faded and mostly illegible
File consists of two photographs pertaining to public events. Photographs depict horse-drawn carriages riding in a parade procession, date and location unknown; and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth [possibly taken during their visit to Banff in 1939].
LUX/I/E4/PA-688 attributed to the Department of Trade and Commerce, Canadian Government
Date Range
[ca.1920-1940]
[1939]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w prints ; 30.5 x 35 cm and 24.5 x 20 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of two photographs pertaining to public events. Photographs depict horse-drawn carriages riding in a parade procession, date and location unknown; and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth [possibly taken during their visit to Banff in 1939].
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
