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
Show less
Related Archival Collection
Pages
- Title
- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
-
1945 portrait photo of a woman seated at an office desk using a typewriter. Many papers on her desk; one reads "WCAX schedules."
- Title
- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
-
A woman sits at a desk in an office. Figurines of the Eight Chinese Immortals sit on her desk along with two library books on pottery and stage costume for the theater.
- Title
- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
-
An older man seated at his desk in his office. Vermont maps and rocks seen in the background. Geology office, geologist? Dated 1957/1958.
- Title
- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
-
A woman sits at a desk in an office. Figurines of the Eight Chinese Immortals sit on her desk along with two library books on pottery and stage costume for the theater. Dated 1951 / 1952.
- Title
- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
-
1944 photo of 3 photos showing individuals seated in their office or living room. Writing on photo with man sitting at roll top desk reads, "What are you going to do me for". In another photo one older woman holds a doll in her lap.
- Title
- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
-
A woman sits at a desk in an office. Figurines of the Eight Chinese Immortals sit on her desk along with two library books on pottery and stage costume for the theater. Dated 1951 /1952.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
Ca. 1946 photo of 5 women seated at a table, in an office or library, having a discussion. Identity of women, location, and occasion are unknown.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
1944 photo of William H. Wills (center), Governor of Vermont (1941-1945) who has just signed a document, is having a pin attached to his lapel, perhaps. The man on the left, still unidentified, is *not* the Lt. Gov. of the time, Mortimer Proctor. The lady on the right is probably his secretary. A...
Show more1944 photo of William H. Wills (center), Governor of Vermont (1941-1945) who has just signed a document, is having a pin attached to his lapel, perhaps. The man on the left, still unidentified, is *not* the Lt. Gov. of the time, Mortimer Proctor. The lady on the right is probably his secretary. A photo of Wills's wife, Hazel, is on the left side of the desk. Photo #3.
Show less
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
Five women; one seated at a desk pose for a group portrait in a business office. On the wall is a framed paper with word "UNESCO" and a poster reading "The Wheel of Good Eating." Undated. Photo 2.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
Five women in an office (filing cabinets and covered typewriter) seated at a metal desk.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
1944 photo of William H. Wills (center), Governor of Vermont (1941-1945) signing a document, as others look on. The man on the left, still unidentified, is *not* the Lt. Gov. of the time, Mortimer Proctor. The lady on the right is probably his secretary. A photo of Wills's wife, Hazel, is on the...
Show more1944 photo of William H. Wills (center), Governor of Vermont (1941-1945) signing a document, as others look on. The man on the left, still unidentified, is *not* the Lt. Gov. of the time, Mortimer Proctor. The lady on the right is probably his secretary. A photo of Wills's wife, Hazel, is on the left side of the desk. Letters in the background probably spell "President Coolidge." Photo #2.
Show less
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
March 1951 portrait photo of six men in an office with one of the men sitting at a metal office desk.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
1945 photo of what appears to be an interview among two men. Younger man, perhaps discharged service man, applying for a job? Wall displays Rotary Club certificate.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
1944 photo of William H. Wills, Governor of Vt. (1941-1945), is receiving perhaps a lapel pin from the young woman on the right, who may be his secretary or--if indeed he is receiving an honor--a representative of a group bestowing the honor. The man on the left remains unidentified, as does the...
Show more1944 photo of William H. Wills, Governor of Vt. (1941-1945), is receiving perhaps a lapel pin from the young woman on the right, who may be his secretary or--if indeed he is receiving an honor--a representative of a group bestowing the honor. The man on the left remains unidentified, as does the young woman, but he is not the Lieut. Gov., Mortimer Proctor. A photo of the governor's wife, Hazel McLeod Wills, is on the desk. Location is probably the Vermont State House in Montpelier. Photo #4.
Show less
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
1944 photo of William H. Wills (center), Governor of Vermont (1941-1945) signing a document, as others look on. The man on the left, still unidentified, is *not* the Lt. Gov. of the time, Mortimer Proctor. The lady on the right is probably his secretary. A photo of Wills's wife, Hazel, is on the...
Show more1944 photo of William H. Wills (center), Governor of Vermont (1941-1945) signing a document, as others look on. The man on the left, still unidentified, is *not* the Lt. Gov. of the time, Mortimer Proctor. The lady on the right is probably his secretary. A photo of Wills's wife, Hazel, is on the left side of the desk. Letters in the background probably spell "President Coolidge." Photo #1.
Show less
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
Ca. 1945 photo of 2 women working in an office.
- Title
- Stores - Interiors - Unidentified
- Date Created
- 1945
- Description
-
Office interior, with heavy wooden furniture, typewriter, phone, linoleum floor, large radiator, etc. Business unknown.
- Title
- Stores - Interiors - Unidentified
- Date Created
- 1945
- Description
-
Office interior. Five women working in well-lighted, spacious office (business and location unknown).
- Title
- Stores - Interiors - Unidentified
- Date Created
- 1945
- Description
-
Eight men and eight women in an office, which looks fairly typical but certainly not model (note oddly stacked furniture, crowded layout). Very few clues to the type of business other than the conservative dress code.
- Title
- Trinity College - Faculty
- Description
-
Faculty member of Trinity College and presumably a Sister of Mercy. Office very likely in the Administration Building (Mann Hall).