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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- Circus People
- Description
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Portrait photo of a lady seated outside with a polka-dot skirt and pearl necklace. She is also seen in mcalA09F08i16 and 17. Location and date unknown.
- Title
- Circus People
- Description
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One of several photographs of Baby Thelma Williams as the circus "Fat Lady." This one showing her seated on an armed bench with hands on her legs. Early 1950s photo possibly taken at the Champlain Valley Fair.
- Title
- Circus People
- Description
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Portrait photo of a lady of the circus standing outside a tent in an off the shoulder dress, dangling earrings and a flower and feather hairpiece. Same lady as seen in mcalA09F08i05, 06, 07 and 08. May be 1940s-50s at the Champlain Valley Fair.
- Title
- Circus People
- Description
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Baby Thelma Williams as the circus Fat Lady seen sitting on a sofa holding a mirror primping her hair. See also in mcalA09F09i05, 8, 10, 11, 12) Early 1950s photo possibly taken at the Champlain Valley Fair.
- Title
- Circus People
- Description
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Baby Thelma Williams as the circus Fat Lady seen here reclining (see also mcalA09F09i04, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12) Early 1950s photo possibly taken at the Champlain Valley Fair.
- Title
- Circus People
- Description
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Portrait photo of a lady looking at the camera dressed in a polka-dot skirt wearing a pearl necklace sitting outside. Date and location unknown. See also mcalA09F08i16, mcalA09F09i09, mcalA09F09i13.
- Title
- Circus People
- Description
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One of several photographs of Baby Thelma Williams as the circus "Fat Lady." This one showing her reclining on an wooden bench with one arm resting on the arm of the bench. One leg rests on the cushioned seat. Early 1950s photo possibly taken at the Champlain Valley Fair.
- Title
- Circus People
- Description
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Portrait photo of a lady of the circus standing outside a tent. Same lady as seen in mcalA09F08i05, 06, 07 and 08. May be 1940s-50s at the Champlain Valley Fair.
- Title
- Circus People
- Description
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Photo of Baby Thelma Williams as the circus "Fat Lady." Early 1950s photo possibly taken at the Champlain Valley Fair.
- Title
- Confraternity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
- Description
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1944 photo of members of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel located in Rutland, Vt. Photo #1.
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- Confraternity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
- Description
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1944 photo of members of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel located in Rutland, Vt. Photo #2.
- Title
- Congregational Church - Choirs
- Description
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Winter Undated photo of an adult choir of 15 women and 12 men on the altar of the First Congregational Church. Fran Howe, front row, left. Photo #26.
- 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 #5.
- 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
- Converse Home (for Aged Women)
- Description
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1935 photo of the Converse Home (for aged women) located at 272 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont with several women seated and standing in a parlor like room. They each wear a hat of one particular style.
- Title
- Dance Recitals
- Description
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1958 photo. Several young women dancers strike a pose holding arched flowered garlands above their heads. They wear ankle length gowns and gloves. They stand on a stepped dais with a curtain backdrop. Location is the stage at Mount St. Mary's Academy in Burlington, Vermont. Photo 29
- Title
- Fanny Allen Hospital - Nurses
- Description
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1957 photo of a group of nurses standing outside on steps. Photo #6.
- Title
- Fanny Allen Hospital - Nurses
- Description
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1949/1950 portrait photo of nurse graduates gathered outside in the snow. Each wears a uniform cape. Glass negative has defective section seen to the right.
- Title
- Fanny Allen Hospital - Nurses
- Description
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1947 photo of five individual formal portrait photographs of nurses.
- Title
- Fanny Allen Hospital - Nurses
- Description
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1953 photo of eleven nurse graduates gathered for a group picture. Each carries a holder with a white lit candle. Location Fanny Allen Hospital chapel. Photo #1.