Louis L. McAllister Photographs
Collection Overview
Louis L. McAllister photographed people and places near Burlington, Vermont for 60 years. He was born in Columbus, Nebraska on October 16, 1876, the son of Julius S. McAllister (born 1841 in Lincoln, VT) and Rosette Gould (born in Vermont in 1851)...
Show moreLouis L. McAllister photographed people and places near Burlington, Vermont for 60 years. He was born in Columbus, Nebraska on October 16, 1876, the son of Julius S. McAllister (born 1841 in Lincoln, VT) and Rosette Gould (born in Vermont in 1851). Julius McAllister worked as a photographer and dentist in Washington D.C., Bristol, Vermont and Columbus, Nebraska. Around 1895, Julius, his third wife Amy, and their children left Nebraska for the Union Soldiers’ Colony in Fitzgerald, Georgia. By 1900, Julius and Amy were divorced, and Amy and her stepson Louis were working as photographers in Thomasville, Georgia.
In 1907 Louis McAllister married Cora Shepard (born about 1872 in Vermont) in Holland, Michigan. By 1910, they were living in Queen City Park in South Burlington, Vermont, where Louis established a photography studio. The McAllisters moved to Burlington, and by 1919 they lived at 47 N. Winooski Avenue. They continued to occupy a summer cottage at Queen City Park, and were active in the Queen City Park Association, which held spiritualist camp meetings annually. McAllister conducted his photography business from home until his death in 1963.
McAllister’s “trademark” was his panorama camera which made him familiar to all sorts of groups ranging from graduating classes to state police to summer camp groups. In addition he did print 8 x 10 photos, many of which document building construction and Burlington Street Department projects, as well as group and individual portraits.
The L.L. McAllister Collection includes portraits, construction projects, buildings, businesses and events in the Burlington area covering the period ca. 1920-1960. The collection also includes photos of street, bridge, airport and sewer construction and repair, as well as group portraits of clubs, schools, etc.
Revised April, 2010
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Related Archival Collection
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Howard St.
- Description
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November 9, 1945. Howard Street Pavement and Sidewalk Project. This view was taken at the intersection of Pine Street looking easterly. Note the new concrete sidewalk on north side and new integral concrete curbs and gutters on both sides of pavement. The Hot Plant Mix Asphalt Wearing Surface was...
Show moreNovember 9, 1945. Howard Street Pavement and Sidewalk Project. This view was taken at the intersection of Pine Street looking easterly. Note the new concrete sidewalk on north side and new integral concrete curbs and gutters on both sides of pavement. The Hot Plant Mix Asphalt Wearing Surface was just being completed when this picture was taken. Grading has been completed between sidewalk and curb on north side.
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Lakeside Ave
- Description
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Aug. 3, 1944. This view taken from Rutland Railroad tracks over underpass looking easterly on Lakeside Ave. shows condition of shoulder on outside of concrete pavement on the right where new concrete slab is to be constructed. Entrances to parking area will have to be recessed and old transformer...
Show moreAug. 3, 1944. This view taken from Rutland Railroad tracks over underpass looking easterly on Lakeside Ave. shows condition of shoulder on outside of concrete pavement on the right where new concrete slab is to be constructed. Entrances to parking area will have to be recessed and old transformer pole removed in foreground.
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Winooski Ave.
- Description
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1933 view of South Winooski Ave opposite Central Fire Station showing three vehicles belonging to O. C. Taylor & Co., a wholesale tobacco business, advertising Roi-Tan cigars. Behind is Appleyard Motor Co., a used car dealer at No. 129. To the right is the A. D. Pease Grain Co. at 125 So Winooski...
Show more1933 view of South Winooski Ave opposite Central Fire Station showing three vehicles belonging to O. C. Taylor & Co., a wholesale tobacco business, advertising Roi-Tan cigars. Behind is Appleyard Motor Co., a used car dealer at No. 129. To the right is the A. D. Pease Grain Co. at 125 So Winooski Ave.
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- Title
- New England Telephone and Telegraph Co.
- Description
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1950 photo of construction of New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. at 266 Main Street, Burlington, Vt. Two automobiles are parked in front.
- Title
- New England Telephone and Telegraph Co.
- Description
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Undated but may be 1949/1950 photo of construction of New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. at 266 Main Street, Burlington, Vt. Three automobiles are parked in front.
- Title
- New England Telephone and Telegraph Co.
- Description
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1950 photo of construction of New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. at 266 Main Street, Burlington, Vt. Two automobiles are parked in front.
- Title
- Oakledge, Burlington, VT
- Description
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1945/1946 photo of Flynn Ave and Shelburne Road, looking northeast. Damaged sign advertising "Oakledge Manor on Lake Champlain". The Elizabeth Lund Home, 346 Shelburne Rd., can be seen through the trees. (Can anyone identify this type of automobile?)
- Title
- Oil Tank Construction
- Description
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July 15, 1952 oil tank construction by C.A. Congdon Construction. Several cars parked nearby.
- Title
- Oil Tank Construction
- Description
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1952 site of oil tank construction by C. A. Congdon Construction. Several cars parked nearby.
- Title
- Portraits - Family
- Description
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1952 outdoor photo of family members, assembled in front of an automobile in the back yard of the McAllister residence.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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1945 photo of a group of men and women ready to board a train. Most passengers have tags attached to their clothing. Train station very likely in Essex Junction, Vt. A few cars are parked on the left. A Western Union sign can be seen in the distance, left.