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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- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
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Sept. 1, 1929. View of Main Street looking east up the hill from intersection of Church Street. Note the old trolley car tracks and overhead wires, also uneven and worn condition of the old brick pavement. This picture was taken just before constructing the new asphalt pavement by the city street...
Show moreSept. 1, 1929. View of Main Street looking east up the hill from intersection of Church Street. Note the old trolley car tracks and overhead wires, also uneven and worn condition of the old brick pavement. This picture was taken just before constructing the new asphalt pavement by the city street dept., using the old brick pavement as a base. Parked cars and businesses line both sides of the street. On the right is the Strong Theatre with a sign along one side of the building advertising "Vermont home of Chilton Paint Co." In the distant center of photo a car cruises through the intersection of Main and South Winooski Ave.
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- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
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May 5, 1943. Rail Removal Project, Burlington, Vermont. This view shows Rail Removal Project on Main Street in front of U.S. Post Office where a hot-mix asphalt pavement had been constructed over the top of the rails to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. Retail stores on the left include the State Liquor...
Show moreMay 5, 1943. Rail Removal Project, Burlington, Vermont. This view shows Rail Removal Project on Main Street in front of U.S. Post Office where a hot-mix asphalt pavement had been constructed over the top of the rails to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. Retail stores on the left include the State Liquor Store, Federal Savings and Loan and business sign advertising personal loans.
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
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Undated (may be 1920s) view of lower Main Street with the Van Ness House, on the right, a hotel that once occupied the southwest corner of Main and St. Paul Street. Up the street also on the right is seen the corner of the Hotel Vermont. Used Truck sign also on the right in foreground. Trolley ...
Show moreUndated (may be 1920s) view of lower Main Street with the Van Ness House, on the right, a hotel that once occupied the southwest corner of Main and St. Paul Street. Up the street also on the right is seen the corner of the Hotel Vermont. Used Truck sign also on the right in foreground. Trolley (cable) car tracks run the center of the street with cable wires seen overhead. Socony gas station sign on the left.
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
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View of lower Main Street (may be late 1920s) looking east up the hill. Both trolley tracks and overhead cable wires can still be seen. Dwellings and businesses can be seen including a gas station in the right foreground.
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- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
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Undated view (may be late 1920s or early 1930s) of the corner of Main Street and St. Paul showing workmen (probably city street dept crew) working on the sidewalks. Portions of the sidewalks can be seen covered with a protective material. The street is paved with brick. A horse and wagon can be...
Show moreUndated view (may be late 1920s or early 1930s) of the corner of Main Street and St. Paul showing workmen (probably city street dept crew) working on the sidewalks. Portions of the sidewalks can be seen covered with a protective material. The street is paved with brick. A horse and wagon can be seen in the center of the photo. Behind is the Hotel Vermont.
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
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Trolley (cable) car tracks run the center of the street with overhead wires above looking east. Undated but may be 1920s.
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- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
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May 5, 1943. Rail Removal Project. Burlington, Vermont by the city street dept. This view, looking east up the hill, shows Rail Removal Project at intersection of Main Street and So. Winooski Ave. where a hot-mix asphalt pavement had been constructed over the top of the rails to a depth of 2 to 3...
Show moreMay 5, 1943. Rail Removal Project. Burlington, Vermont by the city street dept. This view, looking east up the hill, shows Rail Removal Project at intersection of Main Street and So. Winooski Ave. where a hot-mix asphalt pavement had been constructed over the top of the rails to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. On the right are businesses that include (extreme right) Kent-Thomas Co advertising Armstrong tires at 211-213 Main, further up is 229 Main location of Nourse's restaurant. Across the street at 220 Main is the Chittenden County Jail, J. Frederick Lynch, county sheriff.
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
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Oct. 19, 1929 view of Main Street looking east up the hill following the repaving of the street over the old brick surface and the trolley car tracks done by the city street dept. The overhead cable wires are still visible. To the right is the Strong Theatre and the "Vermont home of the Chilton...
Show moreOct. 19, 1929 view of Main Street looking east up the hill following the repaving of the street over the old brick surface and the trolley car tracks done by the city street dept. The overhead cable wires are still visible. To the right is the Strong Theatre and the "Vermont home of the Chilton Paint Co."
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
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May 5, 1943. Rail Removal Project, Burlington, Vermont. This view shows Main St. between Church St. and St. Paul St. after the rails had been removed and the trenches filled with concrete. From left to right is marque for Flynn Theatre advertising My Friend Flicka film starring Roddy McDowell,...
Show moreMay 5, 1943. Rail Removal Project, Burlington, Vermont. This view shows Main St. between Church St. and St. Paul St. after the rails had been removed and the trenches filled with concrete. From left to right is marque for Flynn Theatre advertising My Friend Flicka film starring Roddy McDowell, Preston Foster, center photo is the Park Cafe, Hotel Vermont seen on the corner and Van Ness House background right.
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
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Repaving of lower Main Street seemingly near the Ferry docks. The overhead trolley cable wires are still seen. City street dept crew and vehicles on site applying what looks like asphalt on a corner. Sign on the side of a building advertises the Ferry to Ausable Chasm across Lake Champlain on the...
Show moreRepaving of lower Main Street seemingly near the Ferry docks. The overhead trolley cable wires are still seen. City street dept crew and vehicles on site applying what looks like asphalt on a corner. Sign on the side of a building advertises the Ferry to Ausable Chasm across Lake Champlain on the New York side. Undated photo but may be late 1920s or early 1930s.
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
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Undated (late 1920s, early 1930s?) view looking east up the hill with trolley (cable) car tracks running the center of lower Main Street. Two men (possibly city street dept crew) stand beside a truck and seem to access the construction project. To the right a sign advertising "Star Cars, low cost...
Show moreUndated (late 1920s, early 1930s?) view looking east up the hill with trolley (cable) car tracks running the center of lower Main Street. Two men (possibly city street dept crew) stand beside a truck and seem to access the construction project. To the right a sign advertising "Star Cars, low cost transportation".
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
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Oct. 29, 1940 dated photo. This view shows the intersection of St. Paul Street and Main Street looking south from a point opposite the Central Terminal. This new asphalt pavement was constructed by the Street Department from regular and special funds with the aid of a small appropriation...
Show moreOct. 29, 1940 dated photo. This view shows the intersection of St. Paul Street and Main Street looking south from a point opposite the Central Terminal. This new asphalt pavement was constructed by the Street Department from regular and special funds with the aid of a small appropriation available from the State Highway Department for "Back Roads". This project continues from this point south to the south side of the intersection of Spruce Street including all intersecting streets within these limits comprising a total of 11,100 square yards. On the left is the Hotel Vermont. Across the street is the building that once held the Van Ness House, a hotel.
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
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May 5, 1943. Trolley track Rail Removal Project, Burlington, Vermont by crew members of the city street dept. This view shows the rails being removed from Main St. in front of the U.S. Post Office where a hot-mix asphalt pavement had been constructed over the top of the rails to a depth of 2 to 3...
Show moreMay 5, 1943. Trolley track Rail Removal Project, Burlington, Vermont by crew members of the city street dept. This view shows the rails being removed from Main St. in front of the U.S. Post Office where a hot-mix asphalt pavement had been constructed over the top of the rails to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. Note the narrow width of channel being broken each side of the rail and the method employed in pulling the rails with "A" frame attached to the end of the boom on a 7 ton Universal Truck mounted Crane. To the left is 167 - 169 Main Street location of the Alps Coffee Shop and Alps Cafe and Sea Grill. Hotel Vermont is further down the street as seen by its high rise sign. Directly across the street on the right is seen a corner of City Hall.
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
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Undated (maybe late 1920s or early 1930s) view of the corner of lower Main Street and Church Street looking east up the hill. Burlington street dept crew Lay asphalt surface on old brick pavement on Main Street between South Winooski Ave. and Church St. Note the old trolley (cable) car tracks...
Show moreUndated (maybe late 1920s or early 1930s) view of the corner of lower Main Street and Church Street looking east up the hill. Burlington street dept crew Lay asphalt surface on old brick pavement on Main Street between South Winooski Ave. and Church St. Note the old trolley (cable) car tracks which are being covered up. Overhead cable wires are still seen. Steam roller center photo. Large sawhorse used as a barrier directing motorists of danger, detour route and to keep out of the construction area. Large building on the left location of the Burlington Sweet Shop with sign at top of the building indicating Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Upper)
- Description
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May 26, 1938 view of Main Street near the intersection of South Union Street looking east up the hill showing smooth surfaced road. On the far right is a corner of Edmunds High School (Burlington High School). Earlier and later models of parked cars are seen on both sides of the street.
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- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Upper)
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April 20, 1938 view of Main Street from South Union to South Willard Street, WPA Project 465-12-1-16 This view shows the construction work after all excavation of the old pavement had been made and sand cushion with telford stone base had been nearly completed; also crushed stone base placed on...
Show moreApril 20, 1938 view of Main Street from South Union to South Willard Street, WPA Project 465-12-1-16 This view shows the construction work after all excavation of the old pavement had been made and sand cushion with telford stone base had been nearly completed; also crushed stone base placed on the telford on the south half of the street. To the extreme right is seen a corner of the Edmunds High School building (Burlington High School).
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Upper)
- Description
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Date may be September 1, 1933. Caption on photo reads "#1-9-1-33 Main Street looking west from City Limits before street widening and resurfacing." To the far right is town line sign for Burlington and So. Burlington. Several other photos show this repaving projects including mcalA05F15i09, i10,...
Show moreDate may be September 1, 1933. Caption on photo reads "#1-9-1-33 Main Street looking west from City Limits before street widening and resurfacing." To the far right is town line sign for Burlington and So. Burlington. Several other photos show this repaving projects including mcalA05F15i09, i10, i15, i23, i24, i26, i29.
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Upper)
- Description
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Southeasterly view of Edmunds High School (Burlington High School) at the corner of Main Street and So. Union Street. Street crews after a heavy snow fall seen with two dept. vehicles. A chain connects a tractor with spiked wheels to a truck behind it as they clear the sidewalks. Undated (may be...
Show moreSoutheasterly view of Edmunds High School (Burlington High School) at the corner of Main Street and So. Union Street. Street crews after a heavy snow fall seen with two dept. vehicles. A chain connects a tractor with spiked wheels to a truck behind it as they clear the sidewalks. Undated (may be circa 1925) Photo also seen in UVM's Historic Burlington Project web site.
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Upper)
- Description
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View of Main Street near the University of Vermont campus looking east showing a smooth surface. At the right is the Burlington water reservoir with the Pump House seen to the far right. Telephone poles and elm trees line the sides of the road.
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- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Upper)
- Description
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April 20, 1938 view of city street crew working on road construction of upper Main Street below Willard Street. The street has been dug up and resurfacing material laid down. A dump truck can be seen further down the hill. Elm trees line both sides of the street.