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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Ca. 1945 photo of a group of young women, all dressed very elegantly perhaps for an evening formal or other social occasion. Identity of group, location, occasion unknown.
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Ca. 1947 photo of family and friends celebrating at a restaurant. Identity of persons, venue, occasion unknown.
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1937 photo of a group of young women, with five male cooks and kitchen staff standing behind them. Location, occasion unknown.
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1947 photo of 3 men affiliated in some way with the Nash bed company. One man is presenting the other with a plaque or certificate while the third looks on. Three large banners promoting the company's product hang on the wall.
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Five women in an office (filing cabinets and covered typewriter) seated at a metal desk.
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Mid 1950s outdoor group portrait photo of several children and adults. Photo #7.
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Summer camp staff? Several small cottages seen in the background. One woman poses with a baseball bat. Photo #4.
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1947 photo of a group of young women at a formal dinner. The lady seated left of center--somewhat older than the others--may be the house mother of a sorority. She is seen in mcalB15F19i08, along no doubt with a few of the women in this photo.
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1945 photo of a group of women, plus one man, assembled at a dining table for a portrait, with an American flag prominently displayed on the wall. Identity of group, venue, and occasion are unknown.
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1949 group indoor photo of a large number of men and women gathered for a portrait. Drop panel ceiling, knotty pine walls and wooden floors seen. Photo #3.
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1949 photo of a group of men, women, a nun and children gathered in a room; perhaps a kitchen (linoleum floor) for a portrait. See also mcalB16F01i06 with just the adults.
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1949 photo of a group of workmen playing cards in a locker lunch room at a wooden table with bench seats attached. Metal lunchboxes on shelf above table. Candy machine and lockers seen behind as well as a sign "Please put all waste paper & refuse in containers provided."
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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 3.
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1951 or 1952 portrait photo of young people with several adults gathered at a rustic restaurant. Knotty pine walls, wooden log chandelier. Photo #3.
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Ca. 1947 photo of a restaurant scene, with an elderly foursome (right) offering a toast (milestone anniversary?).
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1953 indoor group portrait photo of men and women in a restaurant. Captains' chairs seen in foreground. Photo #2.
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1944 photo of a group of women, most of whom are wearing hats. Affiliation is unknown but very likely social, charitable, etc.
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1944 photo of the Sisters of Alpha Chi Omega sorority (residence: 384 Main St., Burlington, Vt.). Some of the middle-aged adults may be faculty advisers. (See also mcalB15F14i06.)
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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 #2.
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Three men stand for a portrait near the horse shoe pits. Photo #4. Dated 1949.