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
- Title
- McAllister Memorabilia
- Description
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Formal three quarter length photo portrait of a mature woman in a short sleeved gown with a star brooch holding and admiring a bouquet of chrysanthemum flowers.
- Title
- Mount St. Mary's Academy - May Crowning
- Description
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1953 photo of crowned Virgin Mary statue in the Sacred Heart Chapel at Mount St. Mary's, Burlington, Vermont as part of the May Crowning religious ceremony. Lilies among the flowers seen.
- Title
- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
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1949 or 1950 portrait photo of a young woman in a long gown standing in a chapel surrounded by basketful of flowers.
- Title
- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
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Mid 1940s photo of an older woman seated by a window with vases of flowers. She sits in a corner of a room in front of a counter which holds more vases and a large platter.
- Title
- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
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1949 or 1950 portrait photo of a young woman in a long gown standing in a chapel surrounded by basketful of flowers.
- Title
- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
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1937 portrait photo of a woman wearing a coat standing on a dirt path in a large formal flower garden with fountain. Same woman as in mcalB16F12i07, mcalB16F12i08, mcalB16F12i09.
- Title
- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
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1946 / 1947 photo of an older woman with white hair wearing a polka dot dress standing in a large flower garden next to her home. She holds a small bouquet.
- Title
- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
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1937 portrait photo of a woman standing on a dirt path in a large formal flower garden. Same woman as in mcalB16F12i07.
- Title
- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
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1945 portrait photo of a young woman standing outside a building with columns and next to an urn with potted plants. Is this at UVM Wheeler House?
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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1949 portrait photo of a group of people along with two young boys gathered outside a home. Several baskets of flowers are lined up in front of them. Photo #1.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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Ca. 1948 photo of 6 women standing behind a table covered with a lace tablecloth and holding typical food and drink for a reception. Identity of persons, location, and occasion are unknown.
- Title
- Saint Joseph's Church and Chapel
- Date Created
- 1947
- Description
-
1947 photo of the interior of St. Joseph's Church, which has a statue of Mary under a canopy and placed at the top of some steps. The statue is well lighted and surrounded by Easter lilies, palms, and other flowers.
- Title
- Saint Joseph's Church and Chapel
- Date Created
- 1947
- Description
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1947 photo of religious statue (Virgin Mary) under a canopy surrounded by lilies in Saint Joseph's Church.
- Title
- Saint Joseph's Church and Chapel
- Date Created
- undated
- Description
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Undated photo of Saint Joseph's Church with religious statues and lilies and ferns. Photo 2.
- Title
- Store Windows
- Description
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Western Union window display with baskets of flowers.
- Title
- Theatricals
- Date Created
- 1944
- Description
-
1944. Is this a May Crowning?
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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Ca. 1951 photo (overexposed sequel of mcalB21F11i03) promoting the VFW poppy sale as a fundraising token. A boy presents a poppy to a local dignitary (Mayor Moran of Burlington?) as two veterans look on.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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Ca. 1951 photo promoting the VFW poppy sale as a fundraising token. A boy presents a poppy to a local dignitary (Mayor Moran of Burlington?) as two veterans look on.
- Title
- Weddings
- Description
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1945 portrait of a bride in wedding gown with long train and groom standing on the lawn outside a house. She holds a bouquet of gladiolas and roses. Photo 1. See also mcalB22F07i06, mcalB22F05i07
- Title
- Weddings
- Description
-
1945 wedding portrait of a wartime bride and groom with family members. They stand in an archway that may be in a private home. Baskets of flowers are on the floor beside them. She is dressed in a wedding gown and holds a large bouquet. The groom is in military uniform.