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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A group of women (and two men) pose with a large banner reading "We're the "top" in Supt. Sinnamon's territory." They are gathered outside on what looks like a commercial building's flat roof top. See also mcalA15F05i01. Photo #1.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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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
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This rustic wooden paneled room (perhaps a restaurant) is where a group of men and women gather for a group portrait. A moose head hangs high on the back wall. Burlington residents, Bob and Bea Earnshaw in second row far left side. Undated but may be 1950s.
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A clergyman stands center surrounded by several older women dressed in evening gowns adorned with corsages. They all gather around a table covered with an elegant crocheted table cloth and set with what appears to be a silver tea / coffee service. A stage is seen behind.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A large group of men and women dressed in costume pose for a photo in what looks like a large gymnasium. Folding chairs line the sides of the room and a raised stage in seen in the background. Paper streamers decorate the ceiling.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A large group of diners gather at tables for a meal. The tables are arranged along the walls of a narrow multi-room area. It appears that folding doors separate the rooms. A head table is seen in the distance. See also mcalA15F04i02
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1959. .A large group of men and women gather inside a wood paneled room (stage behind) for a group photo. Burlington residents, Bob and Bea Earnshaw are seated in the front row far right. Bob worked for the Burlington Rendering Company. Photo #2. See also mcalA15F04i08
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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Several men and women (perhaps of the 1920s or 30s) stand on the steps and outside on the sidewalk of a large brick building. A four globe street lamp stands near an entrance.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A group of men and women, stylishly dressed in 1920s or 1930s fashion pose with a young women holding a bouquet of two dozen roses. They stand outside near the steps of a large brick building.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A large group of men and women gather outside at night. A low brick wall is beside them and a brick pavement is also seen. Many wear badges. A priest is among them.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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Eight older women gather in a corner of a room for a group portrait. Room contains living room type furniture. Could this be a Bible study class?
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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ROTC banners hang on the wall in the back of a large gymnasium type room. Crepe paper streamers festoon from the ceiling above a large group of men and women. Some of the men are in uniform. A group of musicians are seen on a raised band stand near the center of the room in the background.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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This rustic wooden paneled room (perhaps a restaurant) is where a group of men and women gather for a group portrait. Burlington residents, Bob and Bea Earnshaw in second row seated left side. Undated but may be 1950s. See also mcalA15F05i11, i12 and i13.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A large group of men and women gather for a group portrait. They are assembled in a room with cloth covered dining tables.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A large group of men all dressed in suits and ties and two women pose near a curtained stage for a group photo.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A large group of men and women gather at a rustic restaurant(?) for a special meal and event. Dining tables are set and decorated with evergreens, candles and a special centerpiece seen at the head table.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A group of men and women gather outside for a group photo.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A large group of diners gather at tables for a meal. The tables are arranged along the walls of a narrow multi-room area. It appears that folding doors separate the rooms. A head table is seen in the distance. See also mcalA15F04i16
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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Five women relax in a large simply furnished common room lounging area reading magazines.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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Five clergymen, three women and four other men pose for a portrait.