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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- Portraits - Family
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1945 outdoor photo of 2 women and 7 men, same Farm Bureau group seen in mcalB14F24i11.
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- Portraits - Family
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Same family as seen in mcalB15F02i03. Here they stand outside near front porch of their home. Dated 1949.
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- Portraits - Family
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Another photo of mother and her three grown children. Mother sits in a very large upholstered armchair (Art Deco style?) Sons sit on the chair arms on either side of their mother. Framed picture behind reads in part "Welcome Guest!" Photo #1. Dated 1949.
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- Portraits - Family
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1945 outdoor photo of 2 women and 7 men, standing outside a building marked "Office" with a smaller sign beneath reading "Farm Bureau." Could this be a local office for the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company? Employees only? Brothers and sisters?
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- Portraits - Family
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1959 photo of three ladies wrapping Christmas gifts including Sundial shoes, a baby doll's bassinet and winter coats for children. They sit in a wood paneled room in front of a brick fireplace. See mcalA15F08i18 for another exposure.
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- Portraits - Family
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1945 indoor photo of two couples. One man is in the armed services.
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- Portraits - Family
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1945 indoor photo of women and girls all seated on a sofa. One woman holds a composition head baby doll.
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- Portraits - Family
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1949 portrait photo of an older mature husband and wife seated in their home with various flowers arranged.
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- Portraits - Family
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1945 outdoor photo of mother (seated) and four daughters (see mcalB14F20i05).
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- Portraits - Family
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1945 outdoor photo of four young mothers holding their children. The Baby boom begins... Photo #2.
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- Portraits - Family
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Dated earlier as 1944 (see mcalB14F16i070), this indoor Christmas photo shows possibly five generations of women in the family.
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- Portraits - Family
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1953 portrait photo of an older wife and husband standing indoors next to a staircase. A window is behind them. A plant stand to the right.
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- Portraits - Family
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1943 indoor photo of four women and an infant, very likely three or four generations of the family. See also mcalB14F14i08.
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- Portraits - Family
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1949 or 1950 wedding anniversary photo of an older couple standing at a table laid out with silver tea service, cups and sandwiches. A tiered cake is center. Photo #2.
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- Portraits - Family
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1943 indoor photo of four women and an infant, very likely three or four generations of the family.
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- Portraits - Family
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1953 portrait photo of an older husband and wife standing indoors near a staircase. A window is behind them. A plant stand to the right.
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- Portraits - Family
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1950 photo of a man, his wife, a mare and her colt standing outside on a grassy field in front of a house. Photo #1.
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- Portraits - Family
- Description
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1959 photo of three ladies wrapping Christmas gifts including Sundial shoes, a baby doll's bassinet and winter coats for children. They sit in a wood paneled room in front of a brick fireplace. See mcalA15F08i18 for another exposure.
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- Portraits - Family
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1953 portrait photo of an older husband and wife seated in an arm chair.
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- Portraits - Family
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1955 group photo of several men and women gathered in a room. Four men in business suits are shaking hands. See also mcalB15F03i16 for another exposure with 1950 date.