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 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 14 b&w photograph prints [loose and on matboard]. Content pertains to local views near Banff, including Georgina Luxton riding in a carriage along Tunnel Mountain Trail, a hunting trip north of Banff with guide George Harrison[?], the King Edward Hotel building exterior and surroun…
Items LUX/I/D6c/PA-232 and 233 produced by Norman Luxton
Date Range
1904-1905
1910
[ca.1910-1920]
Physical Description
10 photographs : b&w ; 29.5 x 18 cm or smaller -- 4 photographs : b&w prints on matboard ; 35.5 x 14 cm and 25 x 21 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of 14 b&w photograph prints [loose and on matboard]. Content pertains to local views near Banff, including Georgina Luxton riding in a carriage along Tunnel Mountain Trail, a hunting trip north of Banff with guide George Harrison[?], the King Edward Hotel building exterior and surrounding property [1904-1910] and an event hosted in the hotel, and panoramic views of Banff and a waterfront area [Lake Minnewanka?] taken by Norman Luxton.
Items stored in three file folders: PA-220 to 222 [Tunnel Mountain Trail and hunting trip]; PA-223 to 231 [King Edward Hotel]; and PA-232 to 233 [Banff & area panoramas]
File consists of portraits of various Stoney Nakoda people (including members of the Bearspaw, Hunter and Wildman families), as well as Joshua Wetsit of the Assiniboine Sioux First Nation in Montana. Some photographs are accompanied by handwritten notes with information pertaining to the photograph…
Photographs produced by Mitchell Studio (Baltimore, Maryland); Harry Pollard; Byron Harmon; Nicholas Morant; and Ernest Kehr. Some photographs not attributed
Date Range
[1905-1915]
1915
[1920-1940]
1929
1939
1950
1957
Physical Description
34 photographs : b&w prints ; 20 x 25 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of portraits of various Stoney Nakoda people (including members of the Bearspaw, Hunter and Wildman families), as well as Joshua Wetsit of the Assiniboine Sioux First Nation in Montana. Some photographs are accompanied by handwritten notes with information pertaining to the photographs.
File consists of one photograph album containing 54 photograph prints and 2 newspaper clippings pertaining to Norman Luxton winning a turkey shooting contest [ca. 1940] and an Old Timers Association event attended by Eleanor Luxton in Calgary in 1964. Photographs pertain to Eleanor Luxton as a baby…
1 album (54 b&w prints ; 9 x 14 cm or smaller -- 2 newspaper clippings)
Scope & Content
File consists of one photograph album containing 54 photograph prints and 2 newspaper clippings pertaining to Norman Luxton winning a turkey shooting contest [ca. 1940] and an Old Timers Association event attended by Eleanor Luxton in Calgary in 1964. Photographs pertain to Eleanor Luxton as a baby and young child with her parents, posing with chickens and a turkey on a farm, with other small children [unidentified] and standing by the Bow River; portrait photographs of Eleanor as a young girl [roughly ages 5 to 12 years old]; a wedding celebration [possibly that of Norman and Georgina Luxton in 1904]; and images of a pregnant woman and a man on a farm [likely Georgina Luxton and possibly her father, David McDougall, ca. 1908]
Notes
One photograph of Eleanor Luxton as a young child, posing alone and smiling in a dark dress, was moved to its current location from album LUX / III / A3 / PD - 2.
File consists of 10 photographs depicting Eleanor, Norman and Georgina Luxton. Includes two professional portraits of Eleanor as a baby and toddler, and photographs of Eleanor and her parents dressed in traditional Indigenous clothing as part of the Canadian Pacific Railway Exhibition in Toronto, 1…
Photographs produced by G & W Fear (Banff), and Pringle & Booth (Toronto)
Date Range
[ca.1909]
[ca.1910-1912]
1920
Physical Description
10 photographs : b&w prints ; 19 x 24.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 10 photographs depicting Eleanor, Norman and Georgina Luxton. Includes two professional portraits of Eleanor as a baby and toddler, and photographs of Eleanor and her parents dressed in traditional Indigenous clothing as part of the Canadian Pacific Railway Exhibition in Toronto, 1920.
Notes
Some items in file are annotated
Items LUX/II/C5/PA-38 to 45 accompanied in file by original mailing envelope (annotated on back)
File consists of magazines, news articles and clippings, and advertisements collected by Eleanor, Norman and Georgina Luxton. Includes promotional content for local events and companies, newspaper clippings collected by Norman Luxton, a copy of Liberty Magazine [1946] with a feature article pertain…
File consists of magazines, news articles and clippings, and advertisements collected by Eleanor, Norman and Georgina Luxton. Includes promotional content for local events and companies, newspaper clippings collected by Norman Luxton, a copy of Liberty Magazine [1946] with a feature article pertaining to Norman Luxton, and home and fashion catalogues.
Items stored in three file folders organized by content type:
LUX / II / F1 / 60 : Advertisements and promotional content
LUX / II / F1 / 61 : Newspaper clippings and articles
LUX / II / F1 / 62 : Magazines
File consists of tickets and coupons from the National Parks Service Bathhouses, Dave White & Co. Ltd., and Lake Windermere Creamery; File also contains loose notes pertaining to the 1938 officers of the Southern Alberta Women's Pioneer and Old Timer Association, a Calgary Herald article draft writ…
File consists of tickets and coupons from the National Parks Service Bathhouses, Dave White & Co. Ltd., and Lake Windermere Creamery; File also contains loose notes pertaining to the 1938 officers of the Southern Alberta Women's Pioneer and Old Timer Association, a Calgary Herald article draft written by Georgina Thompson [n.d.], and a damaged envelope and letter addressed to Georgina Luxton apologizing for mailing delays which were caused by a plane crash [1954].
File consists of Christmas/holiday greeting cards sent by various friends and family to members of the Luxton family [primarily Norman and Georgina] between ca.1905 and 1940. Includes several unsent holiday cards made by Norman and Georgina Luxton.
File consists of Christmas/holiday greeting cards sent by various friends and family to members of the Luxton family [primarily Norman and Georgina] between ca.1905 and 1940. Includes several unsent holiday cards made by Norman and Georgina Luxton.
Notes
File may contain duplicates
Items are not arranged by date within file; some items not dated
Material Details
Some items have attached string and/or decorative ribbons
File consists of templates, text samples, printed images and final copies of Christmas and holiday cards created for Norman, Georgina and Eleanor Luxton. Includes 9 b&w photographs (n.d., no title) of an unnamed individual dogsledding near the Banff Springs Hotel, as well as images of unidentified …
Date Range
[1901-1920]
[1930-1940]
Reference Code
LUX / III / A1 / 24 and LUX / III / A1 / NA - 1 to 3
2.5 cm of textual records -- 12 photographs (9 prints : b&w ; 15.5 x 20 cm or smaller -- 3 negatives : b&w negatives ; 18.5 x 13.5 cm)
Scope & Content
File consists of templates, text samples, printed images and final copies of Christmas and holiday cards created for Norman, Georgina and Eleanor Luxton. Includes 9 b&w photographs (n.d., no title) of an unnamed individual dogsledding near the Banff Springs Hotel, as well as images of unidentified Indigenous people [possibly Stoney Nakoda], skiing, and winter views of Banff and the surrounding area. File also includes three b&w negative photographs depicting holiday greeting card designs for Norman and Georgina Luxton, and Eleanor Luxton.
Notes
Negative photographs are duplicates of some paper printed images included in file LUX / III / A1 / 24.
Negatives have been stored in separate file folder from prints an textual records, in a negative envelope; items are currently stored together in same box to maintain context, but negatives may be moved to downstairs storage in the future
Photographs are primarily printed on paper or matboard (with exception of three glossy prints). Textual and photograph items in this file have been stored together to maintain original context and due to good physical condition.
File consists of postcards and souvenir postcard booklets sent to members and friends of the Luxton family, including Eleanor, Norman and Georgina Luxton. Content pertains to locations and landmarks in various regions, including Canada, the United States, England, France and the Ivory Coast. File a…
ca. 250 prints : b&w and col. postcards ; 16 x 12 cm or smaller -- 1 b&w photograph : print ; 16 x 10.5 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of postcards and souvenir postcard booklets sent to members and friends of the Luxton family, including Eleanor, Norman and Georgina Luxton. Content pertains to locations and landmarks in various regions, including Canada, the United States, England, France and the Ivory Coast. File also includes one b&w photograph depicting a group of unidentified children.
Notes
Items in this file have been organized by geographical location. See "Content Details" entry field for contents of individual folders.
File consists of two Senior Citizen Award certificates given to Norman and Georgina Luxton by the Government of Alberta as part of the province's Golden Jubilee celebrations in 1955; and the marriage certificate of Norman and Georgina Luxton, 1904.
0.2 cm of textual records: 3 certificates ; 42 x 48 cm and 27 x 36.5 cm
Scope & Content
File consists of two Senior Citizen Award certificates given to Norman and Georgina Luxton by the Government of Alberta as part of the province's Golden Jubilee celebrations in 1955; and the marriage certificate of Norman and Georgina Luxton, 1904.
File consists of photographs sent to Georgina Luxton from friends and family, as well as portraits of Georgina. Includes images of Georgina Luxton on a float at a Calgary Stampede parade; Georgina and her brother, David Hardisty McDougall, at the wedding of David's daughter (Virginia); an image of …
Item LUX/III/B2/PA-13 produced by Calgary Herald photographer
Date Range
[ca.1890-1960]
Physical Description
16 photographs : b&w and col. prints ; 21 x 27.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of photographs sent to Georgina Luxton from friends and family, as well as portraits of Georgina. Includes images of Georgina Luxton on a float at a Calgary Stampede parade; Georgina and her brother, David Hardisty McDougall, at the wedding of David's daughter (Virginia); an image of purple flowers in a vase, annotated with a letter to Georgina from Mary (Schaffer) Warren; portraits of Georgina and various friends and family members; and other related material.
File consists of one album containing 141 photograph prints [ca. 1900 - 1905], one b&w tintype photograph, and one handwritten letter. Contents include portrait-style photographs of various unnamed members of the McDougall family, including David and Annie McDougall and Georgina McDougall [Luxton].…
Photographs produced by: T. Eaton Co. Ltd. [Toronto], J.G. Parks [Montreal], Frank Cooper [London, ON], W. O'Connor [Toronto], Cabinet Portrait [Hamilton, ON], W.S. Denroche [Guelph, ON], J. Hampden Field [Montreal], Steel & Wings Photographic and Art Rooms [Winnipeg], and others
Date Range
[ca.1900-1905]
1902
Physical Description
1 album (ca.142 photographs : b&w ; 13.5 x 18.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of one album containing 141 photograph prints [ca. 1900 - 1905], one b&w tintype photograph, and one handwritten letter. Contents include portrait-style photographs of various unnamed members of the McDougall family, including David and Annie McDougall and Georgina McDougall [Luxton]. Letter in album is addressed to David McDougall from his mother, Elizabeth McDougall, dated December 31, 1902.
Material Details
Album is bound in leather. Raised floral/leaf design on front cover. Part of metal fastening clasp remaining, attached to right side of front cover; part of clasp is missing.
File consists of letters, postcards, invitations, holiday cards and other correspondence pertaining to members of the Ross and McDougall families. Recipients and senders include: May (McDougall) Ross, George H. Ross, Annie McDougall, Georgina (McDougall) Luxton, Jean Ross, and classmates of May McD…
File consists of letters, postcards, invitations, holiday cards and other correspondence pertaining to members of the Ross and McDougall families. Recipients and senders include: May (McDougall) Ross, George H. Ross, Annie McDougall, Georgina (McDougall) Luxton, Jean Ross, and classmates of May McDougall Ross from her time as a student at DaMill Ladies' College.
Notes
Some items in file are not dated; some items do not name senders or recipients.
Material Details
One item in file is made of thin wood with plant sample and small red ribbon attached
File consists of 54 photographs pertaining to members of the McDougall family, including professional portraits and family photographs. Individuals in photographs include: George McDougall; Annie (McKenzie) McDougall; David Nawash McDougall; John McDougall; Elizabeth (Chantler) McDougall; Dora and …
54 photographs : b&w prints ; 22 x 29 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 54 photographs pertaining to members of the McDougall family, including professional portraits and family photographs. Individuals in photographs include: George McDougall; Annie (McKenzie) McDougall; David Nawash McDougall; John McDougall; Elizabeth (Chantler) McDougall; Dora and Ada Wilson; May (McDougall) Ross; George and Jean Ross; Georgina (McDougall) Luxton; Douglas McDougall; Libby Young; and Fred Graham and Jean (McDougall) Graham.
File consists of 37 photographs depicting friends and extended members of the Luxton family. Includes professional portraits, postcard prints and candid photographs. Individuals include members of the Nolan and Boswell families, Mary Watson, Will Kidner, John and Ada Wilson, Sam Kellock, W.W. Kemp,…
37 photographs : b&w prints ; 15 x 21 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of 37 photographs depicting friends and extended members of the Luxton family. Includes professional portraits, postcard prints and candid photographs. Individuals include members of the Nolan and Boswell families, Mary Watson, Will Kidner, John and Ada Wilson, Sam Kellock, W.W. Kemp, Arnold and Charles Douglas, Sam Howe, and George and Bob Findlay. Items LUX/III/C3/PA-192 to 204 pertain to trips to Marble Canyon and Sibbald Ranch with Norman Luxton and members of the Sibbald and Fisher families [ca.1904].