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
- Title
- Middlebury College - Summer School Groups - Unidentified
- Description
-
Large group gathered outside Forest Hall at Middlebury College. Occasion is very likely the reunion of several classes. Dated 1960.
- Title
- Portraits - Family
- Description
-
Mid-1930s outdoor photo of perhaps three family generations, with 6 women and 9 men. Varied array of men's suits, footwear, etc. One man wears knickers.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
Mid 1950s outdoor portrait photo of a group of children and adults. Family celebration or reunion?
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
More inclusive outdoor portrait group of adults and children. See mcalB16F09i01 for smaller select group of same family. Dated mid 1950s. Photo #2.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
Another exposure of more of the group as seen in mcalB16F09i02. Family celebration or reunion?
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
-
Mid 1950s outdoor photo of an older man and wife with perhaps their grown children. Family celebration or reunion? Photo #5?
- Title
- UVM - Class Reunions
- Description
-
Class of 1908 gathered in front of Waterman Building at their 50th reunion. Photo appears in July, 1958 alumni quarterly. Men in front are holding a cake, a trophy cup, and wearing special caps (perhaps reminiscing about Kake Walk?). Photo #1?
- Title
- UVM - Class Reunions
- Description
-
Class of 1933 reunion group gathered in front of the Waterman Building at their 25th reunion. Photo appears in the July 1958 edition of the Vermont Alumni Quarterly. Photo #2.
- Title
- UVM - Class Reunions
- Description
-
If the man in the front row, far left is Arthur L. Chapman, whose Junior portrait appears in the 1927 Ariel, this is the Class of 1928. Photo very likely taken in 1958 because of the similar Waterman setting and background seen in other 1958 reunion photos.
- Title
- UVM - Fraternities - Sigma Nu
- Description
-
Gathering of Sigma Nu members outside the house (or "lodge," as listed in the city directory) at 57 [So.] Williams St., Burlington, Vt. The mix of ages suggests a reunion of alums and perhaps current members. A lone woman appears in the front row, center. Dated 1947 (1949?). Photo #1.
- Title
- UVM - Fraternities - Sigma Nu
- Description
-
Gathering of Sigma Nu members outside the house (or "lodge," as listed in the city directory) at 57 [So.] Williams St., Burlington, Vt. The mix of ages suggests a reunion of alums and perhaps current members. A lone woman appears in the front row, center. Dated 1949. Photo #2.
- Title
- UVM - Fraternities - Sigma Nu
- Description
-
Gathering of Sigma Nu members outside the house (or "lodge," as listed in the city directory) at 57 [So.] Williams St., Burlington, Vt. The mix of ages suggests a reunion of alums and perhaps current members. Dated 1948. Photo #3.
- Title
- UVM Groups
- Description
-
Undated photo of banquet in the old gymnasium (which is now the Physical Plant building and Royall Tyler Theatre), held probably on a reunion weekend or at graduation. Floor seems to be a hard dirt surface.