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
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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1947 photo of several men in suits, seated at a long dining table, as if preparing for a panel discussion. 2 prominent American flags suggest a political event. Identity of persons, venue, occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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Portrait photo of five men standing in a room with bold patterned carpet and musical instrument printed curtains behind. They each hold a paper or program in their hands; looks to be a certificate. Dated 1956-57.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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1949 photo of a group of men, women, and a nun gathered in a room; perhaps a kitchen (linoleum floor) for a portrait. Same people as seen in mcalB16F01i05.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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Ca. 1948 photo of a large group of women and one man (choral group?). Identity of persons, location, and occasion are unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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1947 photo of a group of men, very likely academics, seated on bleachers outside a house. Identity of persons, venue, and occasion are unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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Double exposure image. Police or fire department photo showing folded American flag being presented with an image of a celebration on Church Street. Dated 1953.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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A large group of women gather to celebrate Christmas. A tree is behind them and Santa Claus sits front row center. Dated 1945.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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Ca. 1948 photo of 6 women standing behind a table covered with a lace tablecloth and holding typical food and drink for a reception. Identity of persons, location, and occasion are unknown.
- Title
- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
- Description
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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. Lockers seen behind as well as a sign "Please put all waste paper & refuse in containers provided."
- Title
- Queen City Park (So. Burlington, VT)
- Description
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Close up portion of photo mcalB16F20i01 of group of people standing outside next to the Queen City Park Hotel (far left). Another one story building behind them. Undated.
- Title
- Queen City Park (So. Burlington, VT)
- Description
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A large group of people believed to members of the Vermont State Spiritualist Association are gathered for a group portrait. All ages seen here (men, women and children). They stand or sit in front of the Smith Cottage, a two story clapboard building once in Queen City Park, South Burlington....
Show moreA large group of people believed to members of the Vermont State Spiritualist Association are gathered for a group portrait. All ages seen here (men, women and children). They stand or sit in front of the Smith Cottage, a two story clapboard building once in Queen City Park, South Burlington. Many stand on the upper balcony. Date unknown but may be late 19th century or early 20th century. See a more recent photo mcalA16F05i02
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- Title
- Samuel Prentiss
- Description
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Two images of a photograph of a printed page in a book with a portrait of Samuel Prentiss. Inscription reads, "I am very respectfully your obedient. Saml. Prentiss"
- Title
- Samuel Prentiss
- Description
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Two images of a photograph of a printed page in a book with a portrait of Samuel Prentiss. Inscription reads, "I am very respectfully your obedient. Saml. Prentiss"
- Title
- State Health Building
- Description
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Fall 1952 - site of the State Health Building under construction. Listed as 115 Colchester Ave in 1954 city directory (currently 195 Colchester Ave.) ; to the left in background is Mann Hall of Trinity College also on Colchester Ave, Burlington, Vt.
- Title
- State Health Building
- Description
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Fall 1952 - site of the State Health Building being constructed at 115 Colchester Ave. (currently 195 Colchester Ave.) ; to the left in background is Mann Hall of Trinity College opposite the site also on upper Colchester Ave, Burlington, Vt.
- Title
- State Health Building
- Description
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Fall 1952 - site of the State Health Building under construction. Listed as 115 in 1954 city directory (currently 195 Colchester Ave.) ; to the left in background is Mann Hall of Trinity College also on upper Colchester Ave, Burlington, Vt.
- Title
- UVM - Fraternities - Sigma Nu
- Description
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Ca. 1947 photo of Sigma Nu fraternity at 57 So. Williams St., Burlington, Vt. (compare with mcalB19F31i04). There seems to be a tradition of including the house dog(s) in the picture.