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
Show less
Related Archival Collection
Pages
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
Undated group portrait photo of several older and elderly women formally dressed. They wear military or club ribbons with auxiliary style metals. A stage with baskets of flowers seen behind. Photo 4.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
1935 / 1936 winter photo of a group of well-dressed, influential men standing in front of an airplane, presumably at Burlington Int'l Airport. On the left is a delivery truck owned by Railway Express Agency, which had headquarters at 111 St. Paul St., Burlington. The City Directory lists Herbert...
Show more1935 / 1936 winter photo of a group of well-dressed, influential men standing in front of an airplane, presumably at Burlington Int'l Airport. On the left is a delivery truck owned by Railway Express Agency, which had headquarters at 111 St. Paul St., Burlington. The City Directory lists Herbert E. Fitch as agent. Also on the left: a boy with his dog that sits on a crate with sign "Live Dog". Occasion and purpose of photo unknown.
Show less
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
Ca. 1946 photo of a group of young women (sorority plus house mother?) at a festive dinner party. Identity of group, venue, and occasion unknown.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
Large group of men and women gathered in a room perhaps at a restaurant for a portrait. Print made from damaged negative. Photo #6. Dated 1949.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
1949 photo of a group of well dressed ladies sitting at dining tables in a popular restaurant with a rustic interior. They seemed to be enjoying dessert. The room is paneled in knotty pine and has hard wood floors. Photo #2.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
1945 photo of an extended family, with at least three generations present. See also mcalB15F17i11.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
1945 photo of a group of women (see mcalB15F17i08) at a restaurant or other dining facility. Identity of the group, venue, and occasion are unknown.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
1949 photo of a large group of women (and one lucky guy) gathered together at a social function. Identity of persons, venue, and occasion unknown.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
Ca. 1947 photo of restaurant scene, with perhaps a family celebration in progress. Identity of persons, venue, occasion unknown.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
Undated photo of a group of people gathered outside at night on a bricked patio or terrace. They wear name tags with photos of their younger selves. Class reunion?. Photo 3.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
1952 photo of men seated at banquet tables in a public or commercial space. At the far end of the room it reads "Welcome" and has the medical symbol caduceus. See also mcalB16F05i07
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
1952 partially washed out photo of men seated at banquet tables in a public or commercial space. At the far end of the room it reads "Welcome" and has the medical symbol caduceus. See also mcalB16F05i07, i08, i10
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
1951 group of men and women of various ages (and one child) gathered outside for a portrait in front of a brick building.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
1952 portrait photo of four men and one woman standing near several dining tables . Two men shake hands. The woman seen also in mcalB16F05i03, 04 and 05 images.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
Independent Order of Odd Fellows? 150 Bank Street, Burlington?
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
1947 photo of several men in suits, seated at a long dining table, as if preparing for a panel discussion. 2 prominent American flags suggest a political event. Waitress arriving with several plates. Identity of persons, venue, occasion unknown.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
1944 photo of a large group of men and women gathered in front of some banquet tables. Some men on the right are holding small books for display. Name of group, location, occasion unknown.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
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.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
A group of women of various ages gathered outside for a portrait on a spacious lawn.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
Ca. 1946 photo of 4 elderly men, standing in front of a house. Identity of group, venue, and occasion unknown.