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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- Portraits - Family
- Description
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1955 group photo of several men and women gathered in a room. Four men in business suits are shaking hands. See also mcalB15F03i16 for another exposure with 1950 date.
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- Portraits - Family
- Description
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1945 indoor photo of mother and son (as seen in mcalB14F19i01) in comfortably furnished living room.
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- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
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1959 photo of one of three ladies wrapping Christmas gifts. She sits in a wood paneled room in front of a brick fireplace. Photo #3. See also mcalB15F09i01, mcalB16F18i09 for a different exposure of the same woman.
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- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
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Another image of young girl seated at a piano in a living room with fireplace.
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- Portraits - Individuals
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A young girl sits at a piano in a living room with fireplace. Same wallpaper seen at location in mcalA14F15i10.
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- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
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A mature woman sits at a drop leaf table with a silver tea and coffee set. A pine corner cupboard displays more silver items such as bowls, and platters. A family photo is also seen on the upper shelf of the cupboard. Photo #4. Dated 1959. See also mcalA16F01i14
- Title
- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
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1944 Christmas photo of a young woman seated near decorated tree in living room. A fake fireplace with Santa seen to the right. A photo of service man at base of tree. See also mcalB14F16i01 for other family members.
- Title
- Portraits - Individuals
- Description
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1944 photo of 3 photos showing individuals seated in their office or living room. Writing on photo with man sitting at roll top desk reads, "What are you going to do me for". In another photo one older woman holds a doll in her lap.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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1949 photo of a group of men, women, and a nun gathered in a room; perhaps a kitchen (linoleum floor) for a portrait. See also mcalB16F01i05. Photo #1.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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A large group of women ( and one man) gathered in a rustic restaurant. Seen on the dining tables are rows of small trophies, perhaps women's or ladies' bowling league? Photo #2.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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1935 or 1936 indoor photo of three men. Two hold a trophy of some sort. Boston ferns seen in the background. Same distinctive location with decorative latice work as seen in mcalB15F13i01. See also mcalB15F12i04 for different exposure of same men.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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1944 photo of a large group of young men and women, perhaps college age, in a dining room. Location, occasion unknown.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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1935 or 1936 indoor photo of three men. Two hold a trophy of some sort. Boston ferns seen in the background. Same distinctive location with decorative latice work as seen in mcalB15F13i01
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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Group of distinguished men dressed in suit and tie pose for a portrait photo. Dated 1935-1936. Same distinctive location as mcalB15F12i04
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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1949 photo of an older man in a business suit and hat putting a window in an opening of a building. Location may be (University of Vermont?) horse barn. See mcalB16F14i19 for another exposure.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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A large group of young people along with a few older adults gather at a rustic restaurant(?) for a special meal or event. Knotty pine paneled walls, hard wood floor and a chandelier made from wooden logs. Dated 1949 or 1950. Printed from a damaged negative.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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1951 group of young people and adults seated at dining tables at a rustic restaurant. Knotty pine walls, hard wood floor, chandelier made from wooden logs with horns and a mirror ball attached. Photo #3.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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1937 indoor photo of a large group of men and women dining. Monogram initials overhead. Same distinctive location with decorative lattice work as seen in mcalB15F12i04
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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1952 photo of banquet tables arranged in long rows with a sign at the far end of the room. Another image reveals the "Welcome" with the medical caduceus symbol seen more clearly.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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1951 group of young people and adults seated at dining tables at a rustic restaurant. Knotty pine walls, hard wood floor, chandelier made from wooden logs with horns and a mirror ball attached. Photo #4.