Fonds consists of notes on Bankhead, Alberta, Canada made in conversation with Bill Craig; notes transcribed by Bill Craig re Banff High School students and teachers, 1913 to 1944; Anne Craig time sheet, 1945; photographic views of the town of Bankhead taken by John Craig; views of Banff and area; …
Bill Craig, 1902-2002, lived at Bankhead and Banff, Alberta, Canada
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of notes on Bankhead, Alberta, Canada made in conversation with Bill Craig; notes transcribed by Bill Craig re Banff High School students and teachers, 1913 to 1944; Anne Craig time sheet, 1945; photographic views of the town of Bankhead taken by John Craig; views of Banff and area; one photograph of Craig with Jim Boyce and W. LaCasse, 1940s?
File consists of 139 pages of handwritten research notes, correspondence, and newspaper clippings, H35 x W30 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's research on Banff and surrounding area, Parks Canada, Department of the Interior, and the history of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in general. Record…
2 cm of textual records (139 pages ; 30 x 35 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 139 pages of handwritten research notes, correspondence, and newspaper clippings, H35 x W30 cm or smaller. File pertains to Dorothy's research on Banff and surrounding area, Parks Canada, Department of the Interior, and the history of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in general. Records were filed in an envelope that was titled "Book Notes."
Notable people include James Wardle, J.B. Harkin, Pat Brewster, Arthur Unwin, Dr. Brett, Norman Sanson, and Bill Peyto, among others. Notable places and topics include the organization of the Department of the Interior, the Banff-Windemere Highway, Rocky Mountain Park and Park Wardens, Kootenay National Park fires, coal and precious metal mines (e.g. Bankhead, Silver City), trail riding and hiking, research about James Wardle and his accomplishments, Ya-Ha-Tinda, and various parks (e.g. Glacier, Revelstoke, Elk Island, Kootenay, and Yoho).
Other records include a handwritten letter to the Auld family in Scotland (cousins of Sheila Ritchie) with a story about Glenbow and a highland cow from Oban, Scotland; personal reflections on the Banff area and mountains in general; notes that Dorothy took while doing research at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies and the Banff Public Library; and a variety of newspaper clippings.
Notes
Includes request slips and stationary from the archives at the Whyte Museum.
Potentially includes a handwritten list of Dorothy's written works.
Newspaper clippings primarily from the Times Colonist, which is published in Victoria, British Columbia.
Some of the slips of paper are taped together. Was unable to remove them without damaging the materials. May present conservation issues in the future.
File consists of 127 pages of compiled research, correspondence, and newspaper clippings, H28 cm x W21.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to the renaming of Castle Mountain to Mt. Eisenhower in 1946 under the William Lyon Mackenzie King administration and the restoration of the Castle name in 1975-1976…
2 cm of textual records (127 pages ; 21.5 x 28 cm or smaller)
History / Biographical
Freeman Keyte was a scientist originally from Ontario who was living in Calgary at the time when Castle Mountain was renamed to Mt. Eisenhower. He argued for the Castle name to be reinstated and communicated with the Geographic Board of Alberta, Members of Parliament, and the Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographical Names.
Scope & Content
File consists of 127 pages of compiled research, correspondence, and newspaper clippings, H28 cm x W21.5 cm or smaller. File pertains to the renaming of Castle Mountain to Mt. Eisenhower in 1946 under the William Lyon Mackenzie King administration and the restoration of the Castle name in 1975-1976. File includes photocopies of government records, newspaper clippings, and other research compiled by Freeman Keyte. It also includes handwritten correspondence between Dorothy and Freeman, Dorothy and Ted Hart, and newspaper clippings that were collected by Dorothy.
Notes
On March 12, 1980, Freeman sent a copy of his findings in a 113-page binder to Dorothy, who then gifted it to the Whyte Museum in 1987.
Included a photocopy of the letter from Dorothy to Ted Hart. The photocopy was discarded. Dorothy filed the original with Freeman's compilation of research as represented in this file.
Records from accn.7504 were filed in an envelope titled, "The Castle Mountain Battle (from Castle to Eisenhower & back to Castle."
Fonds consists of two series : I. Dan McCowan series; II. Mary E.(Fee) McCowan series. I. Dan McCowan series, ca.1905-1967?, ca.30 cm of textual records, ca.3400 photographs, 4 graphic records. Includes five sub-series: A. Correspondence; B. Writing; C. Photography; D. Professional activities; E…
ca.50 cm of textual records. -- ca.3400 photographs (ca.1000 negatives, ca.1540 lantern slides, ca.770 transparencies 35mm, 117 prints). -- 4 graphic records
History / Biographical
Dan McCowan, 1882-1956, was a naturalist, lecturer and writer at Banff, Alberta, Canada. McCowan came to Banff from Scotland in 1907. There he met Mary Ethel Fee, 1888-1973, a teacher, and they married in 1921. Mary McCowan shared an interest in Dan's work, hand-coloured his lantern slides and accompanied him on his tours. Dan McCowan was an active photographer and naturalist and lectured at hospitals during and following the First World War. He was later recommended to Sir Edward Beatty, CPR President and hired by the CPR to promote the scenic beauties and natural history of the mountains, which he did for 26 years. For a period his lantern slide presentations included motion pictures. During the 1940s, he used natural colour Kodachrome slide photography. While in England in 1936, McCowan was made a Fellow of the Royal Zoological Society. From ca.1907 onwards, he wrote for magazines and newspapers. The first of six books was published in 1936; the last in 1955. Beginning ca.1937, McCowan wrote and broadcast radio talks on natural history on CBC. These were heard widely in Canada and the United States. In 1939, McCowan accompanied the King and Queen on a portion of their railway tour through the mountains, providing information on natural history and residents. During the Second World War, he toured extensively on behalf of the YMCA. The McCowans retired to Cloverdale (now Surrey), B.C., ca.1951.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of two series : I. Dan McCowan series; II. Mary E.(Fee) McCowan series.
I. Dan McCowan series, ca.1905-1967?, ca.30 cm of textual records, ca.3400 photographs, 4 graphic records. Includes five sub-series: A. Correspondence; B. Writing; C. Photography; D. Professional activities; E. Ephemera.
Correspondence includes incoming letters re writing, business and broadcasting. Writing is in the form of notes and notebooks, unpublished and published manuscripts, newspaper articles and other materials.
Photography includes negatives, lantern slides, 35mm transparencies and prints. Material pertains to flora, fauna, people, places and scenery, also family, activities and events. Photographs of Banff personalities and visitors are available in negative and lantern slide form, 254 items.
Lantern slides were designed for lectures such as: "On skyline trails in the Canadian Rockies"; "On nature trails at Banff and Lake Louise"; "A naturalist in the Canadian Rockies" (200 slides); "Snow peaks and flower meadows in the Canadian Rockies" (200 slides); "Over the hills and far away: a pictorial review of the Canadian Rockies"; "Victory Day, May 8th 1945, Dan McCowan presents: Bye-gone days in Banff" (exact titles were based on title slides).
II. Mary E. (Fee) McCowan series consists of diaries, 1926-1957, photocopied from 12 volumes (19 cm); and letters from Dan McCowan, 1943. Diaries discuss joint travels, activities, lecture tours for CPR (Canada, U.S., U.K.), Banff, trail rides, skyline hikes, and Royal Visit, 1939
Notes
Both Dan and Mary McCowan have written identifications on the slide mounts
Fonds pertains to Enoch Smith's work in the Banff area. Textual records include correspondence and memoranda between Major Enoch Smith and contractors, Banff National Park Superintendent and other government officials, etc., regarding clearing brush and timber in the Spray Lakes and Lake Minnewank…
70 photographs : prints. -- .5cm of textual records
History / Biographical
Enoch Smith, 1884-1958, was a construction superintendent for Calgary Power Ltd. at Banff, Alberta, Canada. Smith was a Major with the Army Engineers during the First World War. He came to Banff in 1923 and worked for Calgary Power on several projects in the area.
Scope & Content
Fonds pertains to Enoch Smith's work in the Banff area. Textual records include correspondence and memoranda between Major Enoch Smith and contractors, Banff National Park Superintendent and other government officials, etc., regarding clearing brush and timber in the Spray Lakes and Lake Minnewanka areas where Calgary Power had hydro electric developments. Correspondents include Claude Brewster, J. M. Wardle and C. M. Walker. Photographs pertain to Lake Minnewanka Power Development, construction of bridge across Stewart Canyon, and old and new Cascade Power Plant; 1923-1943.
Fonds consists of: I. Personal papers, 1897-1967, pertaining to family, education, military service, etc. II. Professional and business papers, 1908-1957, re Consolidated Mining and Smelting Co. of Canada, private mining ventures, Brewster and Moore outfitting, Brewster Transfer Co., and Brewster …
ca.50 cm of textual records. -- 113 photographs : prints
History / Biographical
Frederick Archibald Brewster, 1883-1969, was an outfitter and guide at Jasper, Alberta, Canada. Brewster was born in Kildonan, Manitoba and in 1888 moved with his family to Banff, where he received his education. He subsequently attended St. John's College, Winnipeg, Manitoba and Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, obtaining a B.Sc. in Mining Engineering. Brewster worked briefly as a prospector and in 1910 embarked upon a long career as an outfitter and guide, first with Brewster and Moore. He established operations in Jasper in 1912 and was responsible for important parties, including those of Samuel Prescott Fay and the United States Biological Survey. Brewster served with distinction in the First World War and was involved with mountain warfare training of the Lovat Scouts in the Second World War. He supplemented his outfitting business with a series of camps which doubled as ski lodges: Fred Brewster's Rocky Mountain Camps, and boat concessions.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of: I. Personal papers, 1897-1967, pertaining to family, education, military service, etc. II. Professional and business papers, 1908-1957, re Consolidated Mining and Smelting Co. of Canada, private mining ventures, Brewster and Moore outfitting, Brewster Transfer Co., and Brewster Trading Co., Samuel Prescott Fay, Lovat Scouts, Jasper, etc. Includes scrapbook titled "Mt. Sir Alexander," 1912-1967, attributed to Fred Brewster, consisting of clippings, articles and maps re the discovery, naming, ascents, etc. of Mount Sir Alexander, also text of speech delivered by Brewster at the opening of the Banff-Jasper Highway. Also includes Samuel Prescott Fay journal from 1914 hunting trip, photocopy. III. Newsclippings and magazines, 1930-1969. IV. Book, "Lord of the Lakes and Forest" by Augustus Moore. V. Photographs, ca.1887-ca.1967, pertaining to Fred Brewster outfitting operations, associates, clients, camps, lodges and facilities; Brewster family and friends; Fred Brewster college and university associates.
Fonds consists of a portion of an untitled report analysing the Pablo-Allard buffalo roundup, including individuals involved, sale of the herd, and controversy surrounding slaughter of old bulls. Includes a letter, dated Nov. 16, 1911, from Howard Douglas to W. P. Wharton of the American Bison Soc…
Fonds consists of a portion of an untitled report analysing the Pablo-Allard buffalo roundup, including individuals involved, sale of the herd, and controversy surrounding slaughter of old bulls. Includes a letter, dated Nov. 16, 1911, from Howard Douglas to W. P. Wharton of the American Bison Society re the Canadian Government's buffalo at Wainwright, Elk Island and Banff, Alberta.
Fonds consists mainly of photographs pertaining primarily to the boat launch, boats and boating at Lake Minnewanka; also, Lake Minnewanka and area, Lake Minnewanka Power Development and Lucky Skirrow. Includes set of aerial views of Lake Minnewanka and area produced by the Department of National D…
Material was produced and collected by Lucky Skirrow
Date Range
[ca.1920]-1969
Physical Description
173 photographs : prints, negative. -- 5 textual records
History / Biographical
George "Lucky" Skirrow, b.1925, was a boatman at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Skirrow worked for Allen Mather, ca.1948-1951, operating tour boats on the Bow River and at Lake Minnewanka. He then purchased the Lake Minnewanka business and operated it until 1977. Skirrow retired to Victoria, British Columbia.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists mainly of photographs pertaining primarily to the boat launch, boats and boating at Lake Minnewanka; also, Lake Minnewanka and area, Lake Minnewanka Power Development and Lucky Skirrow. Includes set of aerial views of Lake Minnewanka and area produced by the Department of National Defense, pre-1940. Textual items are newsclipping re the "Aylmer," 1948; and letters from students requesting employment, 1969.
File consists of one notebook with notes pertaining to a 1907 interview with Michel Pablo [owner of the herd involved in the buffalo round-up of 1907-1912]. Notebook also contains an envelope attached to the inside front cover with additional notes and small illustration of a bull[?] head, and two …
File consists of one notebook with notes pertaining to a 1907 interview with Michel Pablo [owner of the herd involved in the buffalo round-up of 1907-1912]. Notebook also contains an envelope attached to the inside front cover with additional notes and small illustration of a bull[?] head, and two diagrams at the back of the notebook depicting dimensions of a large cow .
Notes
Item is believed to be annotated by Norman Luxton.
Fonds consists of notes and letters by J. B. Harkin; transcripts of Harkin's notes and quotations by Mabel B. Williams and Dorothy Barber (former colleagues of Harkin); biographical notes; articles re Harkin; a Parks Canada newsletter; correspondence between M. B. Williams and Dr. Robin Winks; a le…
4 cm textual records. -- 1 photograph: print; b&w; 8x10 in.
History / Biographical
James Bernard Harkin, 1875-1955 was born in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, Canada. In 1892 Harkin worked for a newspaper in Montreal and in 1893 moved to The Ottawa Journal. Promoted to city editor, Harkin gained access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery. In 1901 Harkin went to work for the federal civil service as a clerk in the Department of the Interior and in 1904 became Parlimentary Secretary to the Minister of the Interior. In 1911 the Dominion Parks Branch was established within the Department of the Interior as a result of the increasing importance of parks to the federal government's conservation and tourism policies. From 1911 to 1936 Harkin, as Commissioner of Dominion Parks, developed Canada's National Park system and created a centralized agency to administer the National Parks. Harkin promoted and was instrumental in the successful passage of the National Parks Act - federal legislation providing for the conservation of National Parks in Canada. During his term as Commissioner of Dominion Parks, Harkin generated greater awareness of the importance of conservation and was influential in promoting ecological approaches to public recreation and tourism initiatives within the national parks.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of notes and letters by J. B. Harkin; transcripts of Harkin's notes and quotations by Mabel B. Williams and Dorothy Barber (former colleagues of Harkin); biographical notes; articles re Harkin; a Parks Canada newsletter; correspondence between M. B. Williams and Dr. Robin Winks; a letter to Harkin from N. K. Luxton. Fonds also includes a photograph of Harkin by Yousef Karsh.
Accession record; E. J. Hart, The Place of Bows (Banff: EJH Literary Enterprises, 1999); Eleanor G. Luxton, Banff: Canada's First National Park (Banff: Summerthought, 1974); Gabrielle Blais, RG 84 Records of Parks Canada General Inventory Series, 1985; C. J. Taylor "Defining National Parks: J. B. Harkin and the National Parks Branch," 1997.