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
- Black Cat Cafe
- Description
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Five musicians stand near a small raised stage in the upper room at the Black Cat Cafe & Sea Grill once located at 160 Bank Street in Burlington, Vt. The iconic black cat symbol is seen in the center. Some of the names (of the performers?) can be seen; John and Jack.
- Title
- Black Cat Cafe
- Description
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Five musicians stand near a small raised stage in the upper room at the Black Cat Cafe & Sea Grill once located at 160 Bank Street in Burlington, Vt. The iconic black cat symbol is seen in the center. Some of the names (of the performers?) can be seen; John and Paul.
- Title
- Black Cat Cafe
- Description
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1935/37 Black Cat Cafe & Sea Grill at 160 Bank St, Burlington, Vermont. Interior photo of an upper room used for banquets and larger gatherings. A small raised stage is seen at the far end with a band assembled there. Photo #3. The restaurant burned in the 1970s along with the rest of the block.
- Title
- Camp Abnaki - Activities
- Description
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Group portrait photo of six campers with musical instruments and their counselor in front of one of the cabins at Camp Abnaki in North Hero, Vermont. The boys wear logo T-shirts with color collars and sleeve cuffs. Photograph is dated 1961. Photo #4.
- Title
- Camp Abnaki - Activities
- Description
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Portrait photo of six campers with musical instruments and their counselor taken on the grounds of Camp Abnaki in North Hero, Vermont. Photograph is dated 1961. Photo #3.
- Title
- Congregational Church - Choirs
- Description
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Undated photo of an adult choir assembled in the sanctuary of the First Congregational Church. Photo may have been taken on Palm Sunday (note palm branches on altar). Photo #6. Darker exposure similar to mcalB08F20i04.
- Title
- Essex Junction Boys Band
- Description
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Winter, 1945 photo of the Essex Junction Boys Band. Instruments include clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and bass and snare drums. Band director could be the gentleman on the left. Photo #1.
- Title
- Essex Junction Boys Band
- Description
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Winter, 1945 photo of the Essex Junction Boys Band. Instruments include clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and bass and snare drums. Band director very likely the gentleman on the left. Photo #2.
- Title
- Fletcher Free Library
- Description
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1951/1952 photo of the back of the Fletcher Free Library as seen from So. Winooski Ave looking east toward the College Street Congregational Church (at the far right). A marching bank is assembled on the lawn with a crowd including many children gathered nearby.
- Title
- McLure's Student Band, Groton, VT
- Description
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1950 photo of McLure's Student Band, Groton, Vermont assembled inside perhaps in the Burlington City Hall auditorium. May have been taken at the Vermont Music Festival. Photo #2.
- Title
- McLure's Student Band, Groton, VT
- Description
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1950 photo of McLure's Student Band, Groton, Vermont standing on the steps of the Burlington City Hall in Burlington. May have been taken at the Vermont Music Festival. Photo #1.
- Title
- McLure's Student Band, Groton, VT
- Description
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1950 photo of McLure's Student Band, Groton, Vermont standing on the steps of the Burlington City Hall in Burlington. Photo #4.
- Title
- McLure's Student Band, Groton, VT
- Description
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1950 photo of McLure's Student Band, Groton, Vermont assembled inside perhaps in the Burlington City Hall auditorium. May have been taken at the Vermont Music Festival. Photo #1
- Title
- Memorial Auditorium, Burlington - Events
- Description
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Closeup photo of the performing orchestra on stage at the Burlington Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vermont. The huge banner across the front of the state reads Happy Birthday. Two American flags are draped across the face of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
- 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 balcony and main floor of the Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vermont during a concert. Wooden slat folding chairs form rows of seating. Undated but may be 1930s, 40s.
- 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
- Mount St. Mary's - Orchestra
- Description
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1953 members of Mount St. Mary's Academy orchestra. Photo #22.
- Title
- Mount St. Mary's Academy - Miscellaneous
- Description
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1957 photo of four Mount St. Mary's Academy students dressed for a musical performance and standing near an Ivers & Pond grand piano. Photo #28.
- Title
- Mt. St. Mary's - Theatricals
- Description
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1958 print of a photo (developed backwards) of six young women of Mount St. Mary's Academy. One has her foot in a cast. Another holds an accordion. Photo #30.