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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Ca. 1947 photo of a restaurant scene, with an elderly foursome (right) offering a toast (milestone anniversary?).
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1953 indoor group portrait photo of men and women in a restaurant. Captains' chairs seen in foreground. Photo #2.
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1944 photo of a group of women, most of whom are wearing hats. Affiliation is unknown but very likely social, charitable, etc.
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1944 photo of the Sisters of Alpha Chi Omega sorority (residence: 384 Main St., Burlington, Vt.). Some of the middle-aged adults may be faculty advisers. (See also mcalB15F14i06.)
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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.
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Three men stand for a portrait near the horse shoe pits. Photo #4. Dated 1949.
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1944 photo of four men, very likely in a business setting, with unpainted walls in the background. Names, location, occasion are unknown.
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1951 photo of a man appearing to be placing a pin on the lapel of another man while four other men look on. They stand in a large open space commercial building. Metal office desk behind them.
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1945 photo of a private gathering of men and women (see also mcalB15F16i08), very likely business associates. Venue and occasion unknown.
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Birds eye view of a banquet on the floor of Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vt as seen from the balcony. On the floor men and women are seated at many dining tables. A very long head table is set just in front of the stage. Dated 1949 - 1950. Photo #1.
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Underexposed 1953 group portrait photo of men and women gathered in a restaurant with bold patterned wallpaper and printed curtains. A television has been added as seen in the upper right corner.
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March 1951 portrait photo of six men in an office with one of the men sitting at a metal office desk.
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1956 or 1957 indoor Christmas group portrait photo of men and women gathered in a rustic restaurant with knotty pine walls. Overhead hangs a tissue paper bell and pine bows decorate the dining tables as well as candles and a small Santa. Photo #2.
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Large group of young women (see mcalB15F16i01) gathered at a venue with trademark lattice decoration. Occasion unknown.
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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.
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Four young women (teenagers?, high school students?) stand in a row on a stage. Three are in identical outfits. Photo #2.
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Slightly blurry ca. 1956 photo taken outside the Waterman building at UVM of a small group of alums at a reunion. See also mcalB19F21i12. 50th or 55th?
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1951 group photo of male employees of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Co.'s building at 266 Main Street, Burlington.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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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.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1946 photo of 4 elderly men, formally dressed and lined up in front of a building or residence. Identity of men, location, and occasion unknown.