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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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. Identity of persons, venue, occasion unknown.
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Ca. 1945 photo of 5 men, 2 women, all employees, apparently, of an unidentified business. This is the same office seen in mcalB15F20i09.
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1945 photo of a large group of men and women assembled within what appears to be a small stage. The group dynamic suggests that they are co-workers in a business, possibly with spouses present. Identity of group, venue, and occasion are unknown.
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Another exposure of more of the group as seen in mcalB16F09i02. Family celebration or reunion?
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Ca. 1946 photo of young women (plus one elderly woman: a sorority house mother, perhaps?) dressed for an evening formal event. Identity of group, venue, and occasion unknown.
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1957 or 1958 photo of boys shooting basketball hoops on an outdoor court. Boys seen to the left wear roller skates.
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Ca. 1946 photo of large group of men dressed in suits, gathered in a restaurant or other dining facility for a portrait. Identity of group, location, and occasion are unknown.
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1935 / 1936 winter photo of a group of well-dressed, influential men standing in front of an airplane, presumably at Burlington 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....
Show more1935 / 1936 winter photo of a group of well-dressed, influential men standing in front of an airplane, presumably at Burlington 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 top of crate with sign "Live Dog". Occasion and purpose of photo unknown. (See also mcalB15F12i13.)
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1952 portrait photo of several people seated at a banquet table at a restaurant or other public or commercial space. The seated woman in print dress seen also in mcalB16F05i01, i03 and i12 images Photo #4.
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Ca. 1945 photo of the children seen in mcalB15F20i01: 6 boys, one girl, standing at some tables in a store or workshop. Identity of children, location, and occasion unknown.
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1953 indoor group portrait of a group of unidentified older women ; perhaps military auxiliary group. Most wear white dresses. An American flag stands behind. Photo #4.
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1945 photo of a large group of men and women dressed for a winter outing which may be a sleigh ride. Shows a variety of winter apparel.
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1947 photo of a gathering of family and/or friends. Identity of group, venue, and occasion unknown.
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1949 or 1950 group portrait of women and four men at dining tables at a restaurant.
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1952 photo of banquet tables arranged in long rows with a sign at the far end of the room. Another image reveals the "Welcome" with the medical caduceus symbol seen more clearly.
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Two men in shirt and tie playing horse shoes. 1949. Other male spectators and players stand behind. One woman and child background right. Company picnic? Photo #1
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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.
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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, wooden log chandelier with horns and hard wood floors. A white upright piano to the far right. Photo #3.
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1944 photo of William H. Wills (center), Governor of Vermont (1941-1945) signing a document, as others look on. The man on the left, still unidentified, is *not* the Lt. Gov. of the time, Mortimer Proctor. The lady on the right is probably his secretary. A photo of Wills's wife, Hazel, is on the...
Show more1944 photo of William H. Wills (center), Governor of Vermont (1941-1945) signing a document, as others look on. The man on the left, still unidentified, is *not* the Lt. Gov. of the time, Mortimer Proctor. The lady on the right is probably his secretary. A photo of Wills's wife, Hazel, is on the left side of the desk. Letters in the background probably spell "President Coolidge." Photo #1.
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1935 or 1936 indoor photo of a large unidentified group of mostly women (five men seen). They are gathered in a room with an over hang and pipes visible overhead. Game room? Is that a ping pong table to the far left foreground? Photo #2.