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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1945 indoor photo of two couples. One man is in the armed services.
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- Portraits - Family
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1944 indoor photo of family at Christmas. Probable: Husband and wife (standing), with daughter or daughter-in-law (seated), who is married to serviceman in the portrait next to the tree.
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- Portraits - Family
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1949 portrait photo of an older mature husband and wife seated in their home with various flowers arranged.
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- Portraits - Family
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1957 or 1958 family portrait photo taken in their home with Christmas tree. Four young children and family dog. Upright piano to the left.
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- Portraits - Family
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1945 indoor photo of large family seen in mcalB14F18i09. Two of the men balance a photograph of a service man, very likely another family member, who for some reason was unable to attend the photo session.
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- Portraits - Family
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1945 indoor photo of young mother with two children.
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- Portraits - Family
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1945 indoor photo of parents and adult children seen in mcalB14F20i03, two of whom are in uniform. (McAllister apparently forgot about the mirror off to the left.)
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- Portraits - Family
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1949 family portrait photo of a mother and her three grown children. One son in military uniform. On the wall is an honorable discharge document from the United States Army. Photo #2.
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- Portraits - Family
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1945 indoor photo of parents (seated), daughter, and two sons.
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- Portraits - Family
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1944 indoor photo of five family members, with three generations present (and perhaps a serviceman absent). Probable: two sisters (standing), their parents, and infant grandchild.
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- Portraits - Family
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1949 or 1950 group portrait photo of an older couple gathered in a living room with several other adults (grown children?). Woman seated on the left is a nun.
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- Portraits - Family
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1944 indoor photo of proud mother with eight children.
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- Portraits - Family
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1945 indoor photo of woman with her son in a nicely furnished living room.
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- Portraits - Family
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1955 group photo of several men and women gathered in a room. Four men in business suits are shaking hands. See also mcalB15F03i16 for another exposure with 1950 date.
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- Portraits - Family
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1945 indoor photo of mother and son (as seen in mcalB14F19i01) in comfortably furnished living room.
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- Portraits - Individuals
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1959 photo of one of three ladies wrapping Christmas gifts. She sits in a wood paneled room in front of a brick fireplace. Photo #3. See also mcalB15F09i01, mcalB16F18i09 for a different exposure of the same woman.
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- Portraits - Individuals
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Another image of young girl seated at a piano in a living room with fireplace.
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- Portraits - Individuals
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A young girl sits at a piano in a living room with fireplace. Same wallpaper seen at location in mcalA14F15i10.
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- Portraits - Individuals
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A mature woman sits at a drop leaf table with a silver tea and coffee set. A pine corner cupboard displays more silver items such as bowls, and platters. A family photo is also seen on the upper shelf of the cupboard. Photo #4. Dated 1959. See also mcalA16F01i14
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- Portraits - Individuals
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1944 Christmas photo of a young woman seated near decorated tree in living room. A fake fireplace with Santa seen to the right. A photo of service man at base of tree. See also mcalB14F16i01 for other family members.