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. 1948 photo of a large group of men, perhaps at the end of a Christmas party. Identity of persons, location, and occasion are unknown.
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1952 group portrait photo of young people along with several men and women gathered around dining tables in a rustic restaurant.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Mid 1950s photo of a photo pinned to a surface showing several men standing in a room with a bold patterned carpet and musical instrument print curtains behind. Each holds a paper or program.
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1935 or 1936. A dining hall at Mount St. Mary's is heavily decorated with crepe paper streamers attached to the ceiling. Tables are elaborately set with food with each having a cloth place mat draping the table covering and a place card. Columns are adorned with streamers and evergreen bows. An...
Show more1935 or 1936. A dining hall at Mount St. Mary's is heavily decorated with crepe paper streamers attached to the ceiling. Tables are elaborately set with food with each having a cloth place mat draping the table covering and a place card. Columns are adorned with streamers and evergreen bows. An all male wait staff stands ready to serve this Christmas meal at Mount St. Mary's. See also mcalA15F08i13, mcalA11F19i07 and mcalB15F12i15.
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1944 photo of a group of men and women (2) who appear to be employees of Corenco, an award-winning company for safety. Location (not listed in Burlington/Winooski directories) and further details on the identity of the group or the occasion are unknown.
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Mid 1950s photo of young people with several adults gathered in a rustic restaurant. Overhead hangs a wooden log chandelier. See mcalB16F07i08 for a 1953 photo of another group. Photo #1.
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1945 photo of a group of men and women in a restaurant of other dining facility. Identity of group, venue, and occasion are unknown.
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Ca. 1945 photo of a group of young women, very likely a sorority, gathered for a celebration. Identity, venue, and occasion unknown.
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Undated group portrait photo of several older and elderly women formally dressed. They wear military or club ribbons with auxiliary style metals. A stage with baskets of flowers seen behind. Photo 4.
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1935 / 1936 winter photo of a group of well-dressed, influential men standing in front of an airplane, presumably at Burlington Int'l Airport. On the left is a delivery truck owned by Railway Express Agency, which had headquarters at 111 St. Paul St., Burlington. The City Directory lists Herbert...
Show more1935 / 1936 winter photo of a group of well-dressed, influential men standing in front of an airplane, presumably at Burlington Int'l Airport. On the left is a delivery truck owned by Railway Express Agency, which had headquarters at 111 St. Paul St., Burlington. The City Directory lists Herbert E. Fitch as agent. Also on the left: a boy with his dog that sits on a crate with sign "Live Dog". Occasion and purpose of photo unknown.
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Ca. 1946 photo of a group of young women (sorority plus house mother?) at a festive dinner party. Identity of group, venue, and occasion unknown.
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Large group of men and women gathered in a room perhaps at a restaurant for a portrait. Print made from damaged negative. Photo #6. Dated 1949.
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1949 photo of a group of well dressed ladies sitting at dining tables in a popular restaurant with a rustic interior. They seemed to be enjoying dessert. The room is paneled in knotty pine and has hard wood floors. Photo #2.
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1945 photo of an extended family, with at least three generations present. See also mcalB15F17i11.
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1945 photo of a group of women (see mcalB15F17i08) at a restaurant or other dining facility. Identity of the group, venue, and occasion are unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1949 photo of a large group of women (and one lucky guy) gathered together at a social function. Identity of persons, venue, and occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1947 photo of restaurant scene, with perhaps a family celebration in progress. Identity of persons, venue, occasion unknown.
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Undated photo of a group of people gathered outside at night on a bricked patio or terrace. They wear name tags with photos of their younger selves. Class reunion?. Photo 3.
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1952 photo of men seated at banquet tables in a public or commercial space. At the far end of the room it reads "Welcome" and has the medical symbol caduceus. See also mcalB16F05i07
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1952 partially washed out photo of men seated at banquet tables in a public or commercial space. At the far end of the room it reads "Welcome" and has the medical symbol caduceus. See also mcalB16F05i07, i08, i10