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
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- Burlington Streets: Riverside Ave.
- Description
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October 21, 1929. View of Riverside Ave after resurfacing of the road by the city street dept approaching the Winooski Bridge. Old mill on the left (later converted to Forest Hills Factory Outlet) was a branch of the American Woolen Company and known as Champlain Mills. This mill is on East Canal...
Show moreOctober 21, 1929. View of Riverside Ave after resurfacing of the road by the city street dept approaching the Winooski Bridge. Old mill on the left (later converted to Forest Hills Factory Outlet) was a branch of the American Woolen Company and known as Champlain Mills. This mill is on East Canal Street, Winooski.
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- Title
- Sewer Projects
- Description
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A view of a large dirt pile to the left of the photo and some timber construction seen to the right. The Champlain Mill in Winooski, Vermont is seen in the upper right corner of the photo.
- Title
- Winooski and Burlington Mills (from Pontoon Bridge)
- Description
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May 5, 1928. Seen here are men of Company D, 1st U.S. Engineers, 2nd Corps standing on the pontoon bridge that spanned the river between Burlington and Winooski. Behind is the old mill in Winooski that was a branch of the American Woolen Company.
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- Winooski and Burlington Mills (from Pontoon Bridge)
- Description
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Undated but part of May 5, 1928 panorama. Seen here are men of Company D, 1st U.S. Engineers, 2nd Corps standing on the pontoon bridge they helped build that spanned the river between Burlington and Winooski. To the far right is the Champlain Mill.
- Title
- Winooski and Burlington Mills (from Pontoon Bridge)
- Description
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Undated but most likely soon after the 1927 Flood. Seen here a pontoon boat in the Winooski River with one of the old mills in background. Photo signed by McAllister and numbered No. 2
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- Winooski Bridge (Old)
- Description
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View of what looks to be a new concrete or cement wall next to an older boulder and stone wall beneath the Winooski Bridge.
- Title
- Winooski, VT - American Woolen Mills Flag Raising
- Description
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April 14, 1917 flag raising at Mill Park, near the American Woolen Mills in Winooski, Vermont. A large crowd has gathered for the event. Shortly after the U.S. entered World War I (April 6, 1917), woolen mill employees collected $100 to purchase 3 American flags, which were raised in front of the...
Show moreApril 14, 1917 flag raising at Mill Park, near the American Woolen Mills in Winooski, Vermont. A large crowd has gathered for the event. Shortly after the U.S. entered World War I (April 6, 1917), woolen mill employees collected $100 to purchase 3 American flags, which were raised in front of the Champlain Mill, Mill No. 3 (now the condominium apartments overlooking the river and bridge), and the mill office. (Photo 1 of five images that create a panoramic view when placed together.)
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- Title
- Winooski, VT - Winooski River and Mills (Panormama: 7 Photos numbered left to right)
- Description
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Undated but may be 1920s (or earlier) photo of Winooski River, mills and surrounding area. In the original photo the twin spires of St. Francis Xavier can be seen in center far distance. Photo 4 of a seven part panoramic view.
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- Winooski, VT - Winooski River and Mills (Panormama: 7 Photos numbered left to right)
- Description
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Undated but may be 1920s (or earlier) photo of Winooski River, mills and surrounding area. Photo 3 of a seven part panoramic view.
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- Winooski, VT - Winooski River and Mills (Panormama: 7 Photos numbered left to right)
- Description
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Undated view of the Winooski River, its bridge, Champlain Mill and Riverside Ave (Lower Winooski Road), Burlington, Vt. Pre 1927 flood because the old bridge is still there. Photo 6 of seven part panoramic view.
- Title
- Winooski, VT - Winooski River and Mills (Panormama: 7 Photos numbered left to right)
- Description
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Undated but may be 1920s (or earlier) photo of Winooski River, mills and surrounding area. Photo 2 of a seven part panoramic view.
- Title
- Winooski, VT - Winooski River and Mills (Panormama: 7 Photos numbered left to right)
- Description
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Undated but may be 1920s (or earlier) view of the Winooski River, its bridge and Champlain Mill in Winooski,Vt. Pre 1927 flood because the old bridge is still there. Winooski Block seen left in distance. Photo 5 of seven part panoramic view.