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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- 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
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- Portraits, children, unidentified
- Description
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1957/1958 photo of two young girls stand in a living room of a home amid a collection of dolls each holding a large antique German bisque head baby doll. Many other German bisque, china and cloth headed dolls also seen. Among the collection are nun dolls, German made china, Grace Storey Putnam...
Show more1957/1958 photo of two young girls stand in a living room of a home amid a collection of dolls each holding a large antique German bisque head baby doll. Many other German bisque, china and cloth headed dolls also seen. Among the collection are nun dolls, German made china, Grace Storey Putnam baby in stroller, Kathe Kruse dolls, plus several fashion dolls. Photo #1. See mcalB16F13i07 for what may be same location.
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- Title
- Portraits, children, unidentified
- Description
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Four children pose by their Christmas tree in the living room of their home. The two children seated on the floor each hold a toy; a metal spinning top and a doll. The boy standing in the back holds the family dog and the older girl proudly wears her "poodle" skirt with Scottie. See also...
Show moreFour children pose by their Christmas tree in the living room of their home. The two children seated on the floor each hold a toy; a metal spinning top and a doll. The boy standing in the back holds the family dog and the older girl proudly wears her "poodle" skirt with Scottie. See also mcalB14F10i03
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- Title
- Portraits, children, unidentified
- Description
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A school classroom seen with students dressed in costume. Santa stands in the back with a mask face. A Christmas tree is to the far left. American flag adorns the wall behind as does a poster (left) reading American Junior Red Cross.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- Description
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Eighteen older women dressed in what appear to be solid color white knee length dresses assemble for a group portrait. They are arranged in two rows, the front row sits in chairs, the back row stands. They are in a room with a linoleum floor, double doors to the left and bold patterned curtains...
Show moreEighteen older women dressed in what appear to be solid color white knee length dresses assemble for a group portrait. They are arranged in two rows, the front row sits in chairs, the back row stands. They are in a room with a linoleum floor, double doors to the left and bold patterned curtains behind them.
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- Title
- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- Description
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Seven nuns are seen in an elementary grade class with one nun preparing reading materials on a felt board. The room is filled with alphabet letters, books and even a large size reading book of Dick, Jane and Sally is displayed. Wooden desks are arranged in straight rows anchored to the floor. A...
Show moreSeven nuns are seen in an elementary grade class with one nun preparing reading materials on a felt board. The room is filled with alphabet letters, books and even a large size reading book of Dick, Jane and Sally is displayed. Wooden desks are arranged in straight rows anchored to the floor. A picture of Jesus hangs on the wall along with an American flag.
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- Title
- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- Description
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Five men stand in a carpeted room in front of a bold patterned curtain with what appears to be a musical motif. They each hold a sheet of paper in their hands; looks to be a certificate. Undated but 1956 or 1957 as other similar images dated.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- Description
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A group of men and women gather on in a rustic wood paneled room (perhaps a restaurant). Candles and a table centerpiece decorate the head table.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- Description
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A small group of young women gather in a common room lounging area. A TV is in one corner. The girls read or entertain themselves with two large plush stuffed animals.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- Description
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A gymnasium type room is filled with uniformed soldiers in the balcony and a large group of costumed men, women and children at what looks like a masquerade party.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- Description
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1935 or 1936. A dining hall heavily decorated with crepe paper streamers attached to the ceiling. Tables are elaborately set with food with each having a cloth place mat draping the table covering and a place card. Columns are adorned with streamers and evergreen bows. An all male wait staff...
Show more1935 or 1936. A dining hall heavily decorated with crepe paper streamers attached to the ceiling. Tables are elaborately set with food with each having a cloth place mat draping the table covering and a place card. Columns are adorned with streamers and evergreen bows. An all male wait staff stands ready to serve at this Christmas meal. May be 1936 at Mount St. Mary's, located on Mansfield Ave, Burlington, Vermont. See also mcalA11F19i07, mcalB15F12i15, mcalB15F12i16.
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- Title
- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- Description
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Eight ladies dressed in evening gowns sit gathered at a dining table in a restaurant. Wait staff can be barely seen in the darkened background. Undated but may be 1920s?
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- Description
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A group of men and women; some men in formal attire, some women in some sort of uniform gather near a stage and piano for a group photo. Undated but may be 1930s? Art Deco style wall decoration seen in the background.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- Description
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A large group of women sit at round wooden dining tables in a large room; more ladies stand in the back. The room is heavily paneled with wood on the walls and ceiling with exposed beams. Four light fixtures hang from the ceiling. The table setting is clearly seen in the foreground with what...
Show moreA large group of women sit at round wooden dining tables in a large room; more ladies stand in the back. The room is heavily paneled with wood on the walls and ceiling with exposed beams. Four light fixtures hang from the ceiling. The table setting is clearly seen in the foreground with what appears to be a shamrock table favor at each plate..
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- Title
- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- Description
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Seven nuns are seen in an elementary grade class. The room is filled with alphabet letters, books and even a large size reading book of Dick, Jane and Sally is displayed. Wooden desks are arranged in straight rows anchored to the floor. A picture of Jesus hangs on the wall along with an American...
Show moreSeven nuns are seen in an elementary grade class. The room is filled with alphabet letters, books and even a large size reading book of Dick, Jane and Sally is displayed. Wooden desks are arranged in straight rows anchored to the floor. A picture of Jesus hangs on the wall along with an American flag.
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- Title
- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- 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 and event.
- Title
- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- 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 and event.
- Title
- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- Description
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A group of men and women gather on in a rustic wood paneled room (perhaps a restaurant). Overhead hangs a large folding tissue paper bell. Appears to be a Christmas celebration as a small tree and Santa Claus decoration are on the head table. Undated.
- Title
- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- Description
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A high school history class is seen with six female uniformed (Catholic?) students focused on a large map showing the campaigns and empire of Alexander (the Great).
- Title
- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- Description
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A large group of young people along with a few older adults gather at a rustic restaurant(?) a special event.