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
- Title
- Billboards
- Description
-
Coca Cola billboard advertising sign painted on the side of a brick building. 1953-58
- Title
- Billboards
- Description
-
Two 1950s billboards. The one on the left is sponsored by Royer Motor Company located at 173 St. Paul Street, Burlington, Vermont. The other advertises Yankee Doodles pastries by Drake's.
- Title
- Billboards
- Date Created
- undated
- Description
-
Roadside billboard located in a grassy sandy lot next to a street advertising Florsheim shoes. Business name of Lewis & Blanchard appears at the bottom of the sign. To the extreme right is a white wooden entry-type gate. Undated but may be 1920s. Location unknown but may be lower Main Street in...
Show moreRoadside billboard located in a grassy sandy lot next to a street advertising Florsheim shoes. Business name of Lewis & Blanchard appears at the bottom of the sign. To the extreme right is a white wooden entry-type gate. Undated but may be 1920s. Location unknown but may be lower Main Street in Burlington.
Show less
- Title
- Billboards
- Date Created
- undated
- Description
-
Roadside billboard advertising for Esso, reminding motorists to have their cars checked during the fall season at Esso. Sign reads "For the fall check-up see your Esso dealer." Pictures an older man portraying a doctor holding a stethoscope to a bare chested boy wearing a football helmet.
- Title
- Billboards
- Date Created
- undated
- Description
-
Close-up of the roadside billboard advertising Esso. Focus is on an older man portraying a doctor holding a stethoscope to a bare chested boy wearing a football helmet.
- Title
- Burlington - Street Views
- Description
-
1945/1946 photo of Flynn Ave and Shelburne Road. Damaged sign advertising "Oakledge Manor on Lake Champlain".
- Title
- Burlington - Street Views
- Description
-
1945/1946 view of Flynn Ave and Shelburne Road, Burlington, Vermont. Damaged sign advertising "Oakledge Manor on Lake Champlain".
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Colchester Ave
- Date Created
- undated
- Description
-
Undated photo but may be late 1920s (1928-1929). View is at the base of Colchester Ave looking up the hill with Lower Winooski Road (Riverside Ave) to the right. Automobiles line up in the intersection. To the far right are billboards and an abandoned trolley car. The cable running across the...
Show moreUndated photo but may be late 1920s (1928-1929). View is at the base of Colchester Ave looking up the hill with Lower Winooski Road (Riverside Ave) to the right. Automobiles line up in the intersection. To the far right are billboards and an abandoned trolley car. The cable running across the photo may be for the no longer used trolley. Construction crew works on street pavement.
Show less
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Riverside Ave.
- Description
-
Undated photo (1929 or early 1930s?) of timber barrier constructed along embankment of Riverside Ave. Billboards are seen across the road. One advertises a new two-door sedan at a new lower price. To the right is the Fairview Garage filling station at 110 Riverside Ave.
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Riverside Ave.
- Description
-
Undated but may be 1929 or early 1930s view of Riverside Ave. before road construction by the Burlington Street Dept. To center right is Fairview Garage at 110 Riverside Ave. Billboards can be seen on the hillside.
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Riverside Ave.
- Description
-
Undated but may be 1929 or early 1930s showing completed repaving project by the city street dept after the trolley tracks have been removed or covered up. View is looking towards Winooski from Burlington. To the right is the Riverside Service Station (No. 152) selling Socony gasoline. Billboards...
Show moreUndated but may be 1929 or early 1930s showing completed repaving project by the city street dept after the trolley tracks have been removed or covered up. View is looking towards Winooski from Burlington. To the right is the Riverside Service Station (No. 152) selling Socony gasoline. Billboards line one embankment. Colchester Ave runs along the ridge towering in the background. To the left is the Fairview Garage at 110 Riverside.
Show less
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Riverside Ave.(4X5)
- Description
-
Undated view of Riverside Ave with the Fairview Garage on the far left. A billboard advertising the New Sherwood Hotel in Burlington, Vt can be seen.
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Riverside Ave.(4X5)
- Description
-
Undated view of Burlington Street Dept crew paving Riverside Ave. The crew form a line across the road as they spread surface material. A team of white horses stand to the left. The Riverside Service Station is to the right. Billboards line the hillside behind. In the distance is the Fairview...
Show moreUndated view of Burlington Street Dept crew paving Riverside Ave. The crew form a line across the road as they spread surface material. A team of white horses stand to the left. The Riverside Service Station is to the right. Billboards line the hillside behind. In the distance is the Fairview Garage.
Show less
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Winooski Ave.
- Description
-
August 15, 1939. So. Winooski Ave. looking south from intersection of Main Street after Plant-Mix asphalt pavement with an average of one and one-half inches of hot asphalt binder course or leveling course and two inch wearing surface of American Bitumuls laykold mixture had been placed and the...
Show moreAugust 15, 1939. So. Winooski Ave. looking south from intersection of Main Street after Plant-Mix asphalt pavement with an average of one and one-half inches of hot asphalt binder course or leveling course and two inch wearing surface of American Bitumuls laykold mixture had been placed and the street opened to traffic. Sign to the left near a two story billboard structure states P.W.A. Federal Works Agency Public Works Administration Street Improvements. Billboards advertise Ritz Crackers and Chesterfield Cigarettes. Strong building on the corner to the right.
Show less
- Title
- Landscapes
- Description
-
Advertising sign in hayfield with barns in the distance. Sign reads: Florsheim Shoes afoot means comfort ahead, Lewis & Blanchard, Burlington.
- Title
- Landscapes - Unidentified
- Description
-
1940s photo of the back side of a billboard along with abandoned cars, what looks like a clothes line and a small shed (looks like a dog house).
- Title
- Oakledge, Burlington, VT
- Description
-
1945/1946 photo of Flynn Ave and Shelburne Road, looking northeast. Damaged sign advertising "Oakledge Manor on Lake Champlain". The Elizabeth Lund Home, 346 Shelburne Rd., can be seen through the trees. (Can anyone identify this type of automobile?)
- Title
- WCAX Radio
- Description
-
1945 billboard advertising WCAX radio 620 on the dial. Shown are names, radio personalities and some of the programs broadcast.
- Title
- Winooski, VT - Winooski River and Mills (Panormama: 7 Photos numbered left to right)
- Description
-
Undated but may be 1920s (or earlier) view of Riverside Ave (Lower Winooski Road), Burlington. Billboard along side of road advertises White's Vermont Velvet Ice Cream made by White's Pure Milk Products located at 21 Church Street, Burlington, Vt. ; A. R. White proprietor. Photo 7 of seven part...
Show moreUndated but may be 1920s (or earlier) view of Riverside Ave (Lower Winooski Road), Burlington. Billboard along side of road advertises White's Vermont Velvet Ice Cream made by White's Pure Milk Products located at 21 Church Street, Burlington, Vt. ; A. R. White proprietor. Photo 7 of seven part panoramic view.
Show less