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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1951 group of men and women of various ages (and one child) gathered outside for a portrait in front of a brick building.
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1952 portrait photo of four men and one woman standing near several dining tables . Two men shake hands. The woman seen also in mcalB16F05i03, 04 and 05 images.
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Independent Order of Odd Fellows? 150 Bank Street, Burlington?
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1947 photo of several men in suits, seated at a long dining table, as if preparing for a panel discussion. 2 prominent American flags suggest a political event. Waitress arriving with several plates. Identity of persons, venue, occasion unknown.
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1944 photo of a large group of men and women gathered in front of some banquet tables. Some men on the right are holding small books for display. Name of group, location, occasion unknown.
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A large group of young people along with a few older adults gather at a rustic restaurant(?) for a special meal or event. Knotty pine paneled walls, hard wood floor and a chandelier made from wooden logs. Dated 1949 or 1950. Printed from a damaged negative.
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A group of women of various ages gathered outside for a portrait on a spacious lawn.
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Ca. 1946 photo of 4 elderly men, standing in front of a house. Identity of group, venue, and occasion unknown.
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Men playing horse shoes. 1949. A view of the wooded area where several pits have been dug. Spectators sit on logs or stand. Several women (wives?) and one child. Parked cars and buildings seen in the background. Photo #6.
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Undated group portrait photo of women of various ages formally dressed gathered in a club or public space. A jute box and piano in background on a stage. An American and another flag also seen. Nursery school images of baby animals attached to back wall. Photo 1.
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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. One young girl seated front center. A stage with baskets of flowers seen behind. Photo 1.
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1951 group of young people and adults seated at dining tables at a rustic restaurant. Knotty pine walls, hard wood floor, chandelier made from wooden logs with horns and a mirror ball attached. Photo #3.
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1948 photo of 6 women gathered at a table near some bookshelves, looking at the photographer. Identity of persons, venue, and occasion are unknown.
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1945 photo of 14 boys of varying ages, standing or seated in the street. Some have baseball mitts. Identity of the group, venue, and occasion are unknown. Behind is a house with a screened in front porch. Photo #1.
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1951 group of men gathered near tables in a public commercial room with display material set up advertising MoPar Micronic Oil Filters. Photo #2.
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1953 photo of five older men standing behind a banquet or restaurant table. Other men seated at tables on either side of them.
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Ca. 1945 photo of a group of young women, all dressed very elegantly perhaps for an evening formal or other social occasion. Identity of group, location, occasion unknown.
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Ca. 1947 photo of family and friends celebrating at a restaurant. Identity of persons, venue, occasion unknown.
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1937 photo of a group of young women, with five male cooks and kitchen staff standing behind them. Location, occasion unknown.
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1947 photo of 3 men affiliated in some way with the Nash bed company. One man is presenting the other with a plaque or certificate while the third looks on. Three large banners promoting the company's product hang on the wall.