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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1953 group portrait photo of young people and several adults gathered in a rustic restaurant with knotty pine walls and wooden log chandelier overhead. See mcalB16F07i05 for another exposure of same group. Photo #1.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1948 photo of a large group of men and women, of varying ages, dressed for a social function. Identity of persons, venue, and occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1947 photo of a meeting of men and women affiliated with the Nash bed company. (See also mcalB15F22i07.) Identity of persons, venue, occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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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. (See also mcalB15F18i08.)
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1956 photo taken outside the Waterman building at UVM of a small group of alums at a "milestone" reunion, perhaps 50th.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Group of distinguished men dressed in suit and tie pose for a portrait photo. Dated 1935-1936. Same distinctive location as mcalB15F12i04
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1945 photo of a restaurant scene or perhaps a college dining hall. Same group as in mcalB15F17i01. Identity of group, venue, and special occasion, if any, are unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1951 - 1952 portrait photo of a group of women. Some wear a heart shaped badge hanging around their necks. Photo #2.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1935 or 1936 indoor photo of a group of young people seated in wooden chairs. They turn to look at the photographer. In the background is another group of people holding or wearing large numbers. Clearly seen in center is "Friday 13".
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1958 photo of several adults of varying ages seated on the grass. Possibly college summer students. Photo looks to be a closeup of a larger image.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1948 photo of a large group of men and women seated at a dining table that forms a "U" in the room. A sign near a target on the wall says: "What is your aim? Plan now for '49." Identity of group, venue, and occasion are unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1951 / 1952 photo of a man appearing to be placing a pin on the lapel of another man while several other men look on. They stand near a metal office desk. Photo #1.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1952 photo of a group of men and women gathered around dining tables at a rustic restaurant.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1935-1936 photo of a group of men and women gathered for a meal at a restaurant. The room is long and narrow with dining tables set end to end down the middle. Wood paneling and wood floors. Photo #1.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1956 or 1957 indoor Christmas group portrait photo of men and women gathered in a rustic restaurant with knotty pine walls. Overhead hangs a tissue paper bell and pine bows decorate the dining tables as well as candles and a small Santa. Photo #1.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1948 photo of 14 women, seated and standing. All are dressed in formal gowns, have corsages, and other flower arrangements abound. Eastern Star gathering? Identity of persons, location, and occasion are unknown. Photo #1.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1951 or 1952 group photo of men and women gathered at a rustic restaurant. Knotty pine walls. A large gift wrapped present rests on the table in front of one man. Photo #1.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1945 photo of a large group of men and women, standing at a banquet table with a large American flag and "Welcome Home" sign behind them (also an undecorated Christmas tree). Very likely a dinner for returning GIs, or perhaps the man in uniform in the front row.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1945 photo of a large group of women, members of a club or society, gathered in front of a tree at a Christmas party. One woman has Santa Claus beard. Identity of group and location unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1945 photo of a group of women at a restaurant or other dining facility. Identity of the group, venue, and occasion are unknown.