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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- Burlington Business College
- Description
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Classroom setting with both male and female students of the Burlington Business College in typing class,1942. Posters on the wall show the Underwood and Royal brand of typewriters.
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- Burlington Business College
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December 1946. Classroom setting with women students of the Burlington Business College sitting at individual wooden desks. Instructor stands at the back holding a book. Photo #5.
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- Burlington Business College
- Description
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1942 Burlington Business College women look to be putting on a skit in front of an audience. One woman holds a Shirley Temple like doll, another ice skates, a third holds a doll as if it were a baby. Christmas trees seen to the right.
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- Burlington Business College
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Group photo of the 1941-1942 men's basketball team of the Burlington Business College.
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- Burlington Business College
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1942 Burlington Business College women are gathered around a piano at Christmas time. They hold what may be sheets of music for a carol sing. Christmas trees seen to the right. Photo #3.
- Title
- Burlington Business College
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Photo of a classroom blackboard or chalkboard with shorthand written on it.
- Title
- Burlington City Hall
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This view shows our new Elgin Sweeper near Burlington City Hall after having gone through its demonstration ready for service. This street sweeper was delivered on April 13, 1937 and replaced the old Elgin which had given satisfactory service for fourteen years. City Hall Park with its elm trees...
Show moreThis view shows our new Elgin Sweeper near Burlington City Hall after having gone through its demonstration ready for service. This street sweeper was delivered on April 13, 1937 and replaced the old Elgin which had given satisfactory service for fourteen years. City Hall Park with its elm trees is visible.
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- Title
- Burlington City Hall
- Description
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This view shows our new Elgin Sweeper near Burlington City Hall after having gone through its demonstration ready for service. This street sweeper was delivered on April 13, and replaced the old Elgin which had given satisfactory service for fourteen years.
- Title
- Burlington City Hall
- Description
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June 1, 1927. Construction of Burlington City Hall showing scaffolding for cupola and partial view of the fire station. James E. Cashman, General contractor.
- Title
- Burlington City Hall
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March 2, 1927. Construction of Burlington City Hall
- Title
- Burlington City Hall
- Description
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Audience listening to speaker on the stage in Burlington City Hall auditorium which is decorated with American flags one of which is hung from the balcony
- Title
- Burlington City Hall
- Description
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May 2, 1927. Construction of Burlington City Hall, fire station tower visible. Sign for James E. Cashman, General contractor clearly seen at the corner of the building.
- Title
- Burlington City Hall
- Description
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Group of men and boys, 26 individuals, posed on the steps of Burlington City Hall
- Title
- Burlington City Hall
- Description
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Scaffolding surrounds the cupola of Burlington City Hall in this dated September 2, 1927 photo. Three different types of automobiles (truck, car, longer car) are parked in front. Sawhorses and other construction materials seen to the left.
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- Burlington City Hall
- Description
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Group of boys and men, 28 individuals, posed on the steps of Burlington City Hall
- Title
- Burlington City Hall
- Description
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August 2, 1927. Nearly complete construction of Burlington City Hall, scaffolding removed except around cupola, fire station in background. James E. Cashman, General contractor.
- Title
- Burlington City Hall
- Description
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Beginning construction of Burlington City Hall, construction workers, and other Burlington buildings
- Title
- Burlington City Hall Park
- Description
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June 4, 1938. City Hall Park, Burlington, groundskeepers working near fountain. Hotel Vermont seen beyond the elm trees and to the right behind the fountain is Van Ness House. Automobiles and even a Burlington Rapid Transit bus can be seen.
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- Burlington City Hall Park
- Description
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June 4, 1938 Burlington City Hall and City Hall Park with groundskeepers working near fountain
- Title
- Burlington City Hall Park
- Description
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City Hall Park, Burlington, fountain and elm trees looking toward College Street. To the extreme right is the Chittenden County Trust bank. Undated but may be late 1930s.