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
Pages
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- Champlain Transportation Company, Anniversary Cake
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A decorator cake with a ferry atop has the dates 1826 - 1956 around the side.
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- Girl Scouts
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Girl Scouts gather around a birthday cake in celebration of the Scouts birthday. This may be a March event as the 12th is the date celebrated as the founding of the scouts by Juliette Gordon Low.
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- Girl Scouts
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Four Girl Scouts, in uniform, and matron cutting layer cake which has written on it: Happy Birthday Girl Scouts. Photo #2.
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- Girl Scouts
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A Girl Scout is crowned Queen at a birthday party celebration. This may be a March event as the 12th is the date celebrated as the founding of the scouts by Juliette Gordon Low. Photo #4.
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- Girl Scouts
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Girl Scouts present bouquets of flowers to two women as they stand at a table with a birthday cake. This may be a March event as the 12th is the date celebrated as the founding of the scouts by Juliette Gordon Low.
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- Girl Scouts
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Portrait of Girl Scout troops celebrating birthday of the Girl Scouts. Cake and wrapped boxes are apparent. One girl in center wears paper crown on which it says "Queen." Members of troops 27, 31, 32, and 41 present. Photo #3.
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- Girl Scouts
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Girl Scouts look on as their scout leader cuts a birthday cake celebrating the founding of the scouts.
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- Girl Scouts
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Girl Scouts sitting on the floor eating birthday cake. At the sides of the room are racks of clothing, some of which have tags. Photo #7.
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- Girl Scouts
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Girls Scouts Birthday Party celebration with scouts gathered for the event. Cake seen to the far left. Members from troops 27, 31, 32, 41 present. Photo #4.
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- Girl Scouts
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Girls Scouts Birthday Party celebration with scouts gathered for the event. Cake seen to the far left. Members from troops 27, 31, 32, 41 present. Photo #3.
- Title
- Girl Scouts
- Description
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Four Girl Scouts, in uniform, and matron cutting layer cake which has written on it: Happy Birthday Girl Scouts. Photo #1.
- Title
- Memorial Auditorium, Burlington - Events
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Another view of the stage in the Burlington Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vermont. The huge banner across the front of the state reads Happy Birthday. Two American flags are flank the face of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. To the left is a replica of a huge birthday cake suspended from the...
Show moreAnother view of the stage in the Burlington Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vermont. The huge banner across the front of the state reads Happy Birthday. Two American flags are flank the face of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. To the left is a replica of a huge birthday cake suspended from the rafters. Many American flags hang from the rafters and along the sides of the room. 1930s - 1940s
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- Title
- Memorial Auditorium, Burlington - Events
- Description
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View of the stage and musical group assembled there in the Burlington Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vermont. The huge banner across the front of the state reads Happy Birthday. Two American flags are flank the face of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. To the right is a replica of a huge birthday...
Show moreView of the stage and musical group assembled there in the Burlington Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vermont. The huge banner across the front of the state reads Happy Birthday. Two American flags are flank the face of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. To the right is a replica of a huge birthday cake with the letter R above it. Many American flags hang from the rafters and along the sides of the room.
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- Title
- Memorial Auditorium, Burlington - Events
- Description
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View of the stage and musical group assembled there in the Burlington Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vermont. The huge banner across the front of the state reads Happy Birthday. To the right is a replica of a huge birthday cake with the letter R above it. Many American flags hang from the...
Show moreView of the stage and musical group assembled there in the Burlington Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vermont. The huge banner across the front of the state reads Happy Birthday. To the right is a replica of a huge birthday cake with the letter R above it. Many American flags hang from the rafters and along the sides of the room. Event celebrating the birthday of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
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- Title
- Mt. St. Mary's Convent
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1955 photo of a Sister of Mercy frosting a cake in a large kitchen at Mount St. Mary's Convent.
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- Parades
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Float in a summer parade (July 4th?) by the Gelineaus Pastry Shop located on 184 North Street, manufacturers of sweet food. Seven men ride dressed in white chef's hats, white shirts and ties. A cake rides on the front of the float. Undated but may be 1920s.
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- Portraits - Children
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1945 portrait photo of a one year old girl seated in an upholstered child's chair next to a table with a birthday cake. One candle is on the cake. Two dolls and a toy stuffed elephant stand on the floor near the table.
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- Portraits - Children (Parties)
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1945 family photo at the dinner table celebrating a child's 2nd birthday. Two candles and the number 2 on the cake. See also mcalB14F12i10 for same setting.
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- Portraits - Children (Parties)
- Description
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A mom and dad pose with their two year old child celebrating her second birthday. 1945.
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- Portraits - Children (Parties)
- Description
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1947 first birthday portrait photo of a little girl with her cake.