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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1951 portrait of a large group of male employees assembled along side a large brick building; New England Telephone and Telegraph Co.'s new building at 266 Main Street, Burlington, Vt.
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1953 indoor group portrait photo of several men and women gathered at a restaurant. Captain's chairs seen in foreground. Photo #3.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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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 #1.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1945 photo of a large group of men and women assembled within what appears to be a small stage. The group dynamic suggests that they are co-workers in a business, possibly with spouses present. Identity of group, venue, and occasion are 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 1.
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1958 photo of several adults of varying ages seated on the grass. Possibly college summer students. Photo looks to be a closeup of a larger image.
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An outdoor group portrait of an unidentified man and woman with eight children as they stand in a field in front of a large evergreen tree. See same family group in mcalA09F12i34 and mcalA15F02i31, i32, i33, i34, i35
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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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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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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. Identity of persons, venue, occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1945 photo of 5 men, 2 women, all employees, apparently, of an unidentified business. This is the same office seen in mcalB15F20i09.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1945 photo of a large group of men and women assembled within what appears to be a small stage. The group dynamic suggests that they are co-workers in a business, possibly with spouses present. Identity of group, venue, and occasion are unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Another exposure of more of the group as seen in mcalB16F09i02. Family celebration or reunion?
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Ca. 1946 photo of young women (plus one elderly woman: a sorority house mother, perhaps?) dressed for an evening formal event. Identity of group, venue, and occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1957 or 1958 photo of boys shooting basketball hoops on an outdoor court. Boys seen to the left wear roller skates.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1946 photo of large group of men dressed in suits, gathered in a restaurant or other dining facility for a portrait. Identity of group, location, and occasion are unknown.
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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 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....
Show more1935 / 1936 winter photo of a group of well-dressed, influential men standing in front of an airplane, presumably at Burlington 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 top of crate with sign "Live Dog". Occasion and purpose of photo unknown. (See also mcalB15F12i13.)
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1952 portrait photo of several people seated at a banquet table at a restaurant or other public or commercial space. The seated woman in print dress seen also in mcalB16F05i01, i03 and i12 images Photo #4.
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Ca. 1945 photo of the children seen in mcalB15F20i01: 6 boys, one girl, standing at some tables in a store or workshop. Identity of children, location, and occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1953 indoor group portrait of a group of unidentified older women ; perhaps military auxiliary group. Most wear white dresses. An American flag stands behind. Photo #4.
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1945 photo of a large group of men and women dressed for a winter outing which may be a sleigh ride. Shows a variety of winter apparel.