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
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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1957 photo of a gathering of veterans at Battery Park in Burlington, Vt. Inside the iron fence (left) is a small memorial dedicated to the memory of Howard William Plant, "first Burlington boy" to die in World War I. VFW Post # 782 is named in his honor. Crowd appears to be ready for a ceremony...
Show more1957 photo of a gathering of veterans at Battery Park in Burlington, Vt. Inside the iron fence (left) is a small memorial dedicated to the memory of Howard William Plant, "first Burlington boy" to die in World War I. VFW Post # 782 is named in his honor. Crowd appears to be ready for a ceremony and speaker, who may be J. Edward Moran, mayor of Burlington, 1949-1957.
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- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Booster's Club : Squirrel Club
- Description
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Ca. 1956 photo of 11 men, all members of the Squirrel Club--evidently, a boosters club within the VFW with a mission, among other things, to have fun. Most are wearing what looks like a garrison cap put on sideways, with a variety of insignia, decoration, and perhaps the cootie mascot (also on...
Show moreCa. 1956 photo of 11 men, all members of the Squirrel Club--evidently, a boosters club within the VFW with a mission, among other things, to have fun. Most are wearing what looks like a garrison cap put on sideways, with a variety of insignia, decoration, and perhaps the cootie mascot (also on neckties). The men are displaying their beverages of choice: Black Label and Schaefer beer in a can. (Beer in a can had been available since 1935--hardly a novelty item.) Location is probably the VFW hall at 69 College St., Burlington, Vt.
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- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Booster's Club : Squirrel Club
- Description
-
Ca. 1956 photo of 11 men, all members of the Squirrel Club--evidently, a boosters club within the VFW with a mission, among other things, to have fun. Most are wearing what looks like a garrison cap put on sideways, with a variety of insignia, decoration, and perhaps the cootie mascot (also on...
Show moreCa. 1956 photo of 11 men, all members of the Squirrel Club--evidently, a boosters club within the VFW with a mission, among other things, to have fun. Most are wearing what looks like a garrison cap put on sideways, with a variety of insignia, decoration, and perhaps the cootie mascot (also on neckties). The men are displaying their beverages of choice: Black Label and Schaefer beer in a can. (Beer in a can had been available since 1935--hardly a novelty item.) Location is probably the VFW hall at 69 College St., Burlington, Vt.
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- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Booster's Club : Squirrel Club
- Description
-
1952 photo of 16 men, all members of the Squirrel Club--evidently, a boosters club within the VFW with a mission, among other things, to have fun. The Squirrels "uniform" includes white trousers with astripe on the side, a decorative vest and a boat-shaped cap with a variety of insignia,...
Show more1952 photo of 16 men, all members of the Squirrel Club--evidently, a boosters club within the VFW with a mission, among other things, to have fun. The Squirrels "uniform" includes white trousers with astripe on the side, a decorative vest and a boat-shaped cap with a variety of insignia, decoration, and perhaps the cootie mascot (also on neckties). Location unknown.
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- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Booster's Club : Squirrel Club
- Description
-
1947 or 1948 photo of ladies on a parade float (made from a flatbed truck) with sign "Queen Isabella". Veterans of Foreign Wars - Booster's Club Squirrel Club. Location outside of the First Unitarian Universalist Society church at 152 Pearl Street (head of Church Street Marketplace), Burlington,...
Show more1947 or 1948 photo of ladies on a parade float (made from a flatbed truck) with sign "Queen Isabella". Veterans of Foreign Wars - Booster's Club Squirrel Club. Location outside of the First Unitarian Universalist Society church at 152 Pearl Street (head of Church Street Marketplace), Burlington, Vt. Photo #1.
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- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Booster's Club : Squirrel Club
- Description
-
1947 or 1948 photo of a parade float (made from a flatbed truck) with members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars - Booster's Club Squirrel Club. Location outside of the First Unitarian Universalist Society church at 152 Pearl Street (head of Church Street Marketplace), Burlington, Vt.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Booster's Club : Squirrel Club
- Description
-
1947 or 1948 photo of ladies on a parade float (made from a flatbed truck) with sign "Queen Isabella". Veterans of Foreign Wars - Booster's Club Squirrel Club. Location outside of the First Unitarian Universalist Society church at 152 Pearl Street (head of Church Street Marketplace), Burlington, Vt.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Booster's Club : Squirrel Club
- Description
-
1952 photo of 7 men, all members of the Squirrel Club--evidently, a social organization within the VFW with perhaps a service aspect to it like many other men's clubs.. The Squirrels "uniform" includes white shoes, white trousers with a stripe on the side, a decorative vest and a boat-shaped cap...
Show more1952 photo of 7 men, all members of the Squirrel Club--evidently, a social organization within the VFW with perhaps a service aspect to it like many other men's clubs.. The Squirrels "uniform" includes white shoes, white trousers with a stripe on the side, a decorative vest and a boat-shaped cap with a variety of insignia, decoration, and perhaps the cootie mascot (also on neckties). Location unknown.
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- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Junior Girls
- Description
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1957 photo of two VFW Junior Girls, one apparently handing the gavel (and whatever leadership position it stands for) to another Junior Girl. Location is very likely the VFW post on 69 College St., Burlington, Vt.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Junior Girls
- Description
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1957 photo of a group of VFW Junior Girls and their leaders, very likely members of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Location is very likely the VFW hall at 69 College St., Burlington, Vt.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Ladies Auxiliary
- Description
-
1952 photo of a speaker addressing a group of veterans and the ladies auxiliary at the VFW hall, 69 College St., Burlington, Vt. Prominently displayed are several American flags as well as the banner of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Howard Plant Post #782. (Howard W. Plant was the first Burlington...
Show more1952 photo of a speaker addressing a group of veterans and the ladies auxiliary at the VFW hall, 69 College St., Burlington, Vt. Prominently displayed are several American flags as well as the banner of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Howard Plant Post #782. (Howard W. Plant was the first Burlington serviceman to die in World War I.)
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- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Ladies Auxiliary
- Description
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1952 photo of a speaker (unidentified) addressing an audience gathered at a VFW Ladies Auxiliary event. A banner on the far right says Ladies Auxiliary Howard Plant Post 782 (VFW). (Howard W. Plant was the first "Burlington boy," as his memorial states, to die in World War I.)
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Ladies Auxiliary
- Description
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Undated photo of veterans' ceremony, perhaps on Veterans Day, at Battery Park, Burlington, Vt. The car dealership in the background now houses the Burlington Police Dept. The memorial stone and plaque--if it is the same one dedicated to Howard William Plant, first Burlington casualty of World War...
Show moreUndated photo of veterans' ceremony, perhaps on Veterans Day, at Battery Park, Burlington, Vt. The car dealership in the background now houses the Burlington Police Dept. The memorial stone and plaque--if it is the same one dedicated to Howard William Plant, first Burlington casualty of World War I--has since been moved to the southeast corner of the park, near the corner of Battery and Pearl Sts. A man playing trumpet (perhaps the same as in mcalB17F11i02), very likely "Taps," faces the memorial, which is enclosed by an iron fence, as other veterans and citizens salute or stand at attention.
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- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Ladies Auxiliary
- Description
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1952 photo of a swearing-in session of new members of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. A current member, in light uniform and garrison cap, faces ca. 15 women who have raised their right hands and presumably are taking an oath.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Ladies Auxiliary
- Description
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1953 photo of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Post no. 782, gathered around an American flag. The different colors of dresses may indicate the service affiliation (e.g. Army, Navy, etc.) of each member. A few male veterans are in attendance also.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Ladies Auxiliary
- Description
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Undated photo of a ceremony at Battery Park in Burlington, Vt., near the small monument placed there in memory of Howard W. Plant, the first Burlington casualty of World War I. Several band musicians (who happen to be dressed like Canadian "Mounties") stand at attention while other attendees look...
Show moreUndated photo of a ceremony at Battery Park in Burlington, Vt., near the small monument placed there in memory of Howard W. Plant, the first Burlington casualty of World War I. Several band musicians (who happen to be dressed like Canadian "Mounties") stand at attention while other attendees look on. Two women, very likely members of the Ladies Auxiliary, hold American flags, perhaps as "Taps" is being played (see mcalB21F19i04, which complements this scene). The event may have taken place on Veterans Day.
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- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Ladies Auxiliary
- Description
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1957 photo of a ceremony at Battery Park, Burlington, Vt., held perhaps on Veterans Day. The iron fence around the monument honoring Howard W. Plant is opened. A speaker (far right) addresses the crowd as VFW Ladies Auxiliary members hold American flags, which appear to be flapping in fairly...
Show more1957 photo of a ceremony at Battery Park, Burlington, Vt., held perhaps on Veterans Day. The iron fence around the monument honoring Howard W. Plant is opened. A speaker (far right) addresses the crowd as VFW Ladies Auxiliary members hold American flags, which appear to be flapping in fairly stiff wind. The Brewer Bros. car dealership in the background now houses the Burlington Police Dept.
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- Title
- Veterinarian's Office: Charles W. Gates
- Description
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1946 photo of veterinarian's office of Charles W. Gates at 240 Shelburne Road. Dr. Gates sits at a table.
- Title
- Veterinarian's Office: Charles W. Gates
- Description
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1946 photo of veterinarian's office of Charles W. Gates at 240 Shelburne Road. Dr. Gates sits at a table.
- Title
- War Bond Campaign
- Description
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1944 photo of several men standing in front of a Railway Express Agency (REA) truck while one points at publicity for the 3rd War Bond campaign. Identity of men unknown, but they are very likely administrators and employees of REA, which had headquarters at 111 St. Paul St., Burlington.