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 - Ladies Auxiliary
- Description
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1952 photo of some women veterans and members of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Some are in uniform and wearing garrison caps; others (new inductees, perhaps?) wear dark dresses. A plaque on the wall bears the name of Howard Plant, in whose memory Post No. 782 was founded.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Ladies Auxiliary
- Description
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1959 photo of a gathering of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, taken very likely at the VFW hall at 69 College St., Burlington, Vt. (Howard Plant Post No. 782.) About half are dressed in uniforms and wear garrison caps.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Ladies Auxiliary
- Description
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Undated photo of a group of VFW Ladies Auxiliary members, all wearing garrison caps and corsages. Occasion is unknown but the location may have been the VFW hall at 69 College St., Burlington, Vt.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Ladies Auxiliary
- Description
-
1959 photo of a gathering of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, taken very likely at the VFW hall at 69 College St., Burlington, Vt. (Howard Plant Post No. 782.) About half are dressed in uniforms and wear garrison caps.
- 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
- 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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Undated photo of a "change in command," perhaps, with the passing of the gavel from one lady auxiliary to another. Several veterans look on. Location was probably the VFW hall at 69 College St., Burlington, Vt.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Ladies Auxiliary
- Description
-
1957 photo of a gathering of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, taken very likely at the VFW hall at 69 College St., Burlington, Vt. (Howard Plant Post No. 782.) Most are dressed in uniforms and wear garrison caps.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - Ladies Auxiliary
- Description
-
1957 photo of a gathering of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, taken very likely at the VFW hall at 69 College St., Burlington, Vt. (Howard Plant Post No. 782.) Most are dressed in uniforms and wear garrison caps.
- 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.
- Title
- War Bond Campaign
- Description
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1944 poster display in store window, perhaps at a travel agency, touting the effectiveness of War Bonds and promoting further sales. Words and phrases used: "Ravaged," [several European countries] "at peace," "No surrender," and "They can take only our bodies!"
- 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.
- Title
- War Bond Campaign
- Description
-
Store window display promoting the sale of War Bonds and American values, as expressed in the "Four Freedoms" paintings by Norman Rockwell. Other items on display have some connection to World War II and the war effort.
- Title
- War Bond Campaign
- Description
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1944 photo of a store window display promoting war bonds ("Buy an Extra U.S. War Bond Now!") and heralding the 4th War Loan (or fund raising) campaign. The display also pays tribute to Poland ("a Nation Bathed in Blood") and the strength of the Polish people. One poster has "an open letter to the...
Show more1944 photo of a store window display promoting war bonds ("Buy an Extra U.S. War Bond Now!") and heralding the 4th War Loan (or fund raising) campaign. The display also pays tribute to Poland ("a Nation Bathed in Blood") and the strength of the Polish people. One poster has "an open letter to the unconquerable (?) Poles."
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- Title
- War Bond Campaign
- Description
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1945 photo of a large store window with several panels devoted to the War Bond campaign. Date may be after May 8th, 1945 (Victory in Europe), since the four posters describe each country as being "at peace," and the "NEXT!" poster (see mcalB21F26i04), indicating Japan as the next theater to be...
Show more1945 photo of a large store window with several panels devoted to the War Bond campaign. Date may be after May 8th, 1945 (Victory in Europe), since the four posters describe each country as being "at peace," and the "NEXT!" poster (see mcalB21F26i04), indicating Japan as the next theater to be conquered, is also on display. Total amounts raised during the 6th War Loan were announced in early Jan., 1945, so this image may have been taken a month or 2 before or after that date. Readers are encouraged to buy more bonds "for total victory and lasting peace."
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- Title
- War Bond Campaign
- Description
-
1945 store window display promoting the sale of War Bonds and American values, as expressed in the "Four Freedoms" paintings by Norman Rockwell. Other items on display (including a Nazi flag) have some connection to World War II and the war effort.
- Title
- War Bond Campaign
- Description
-
1945 photo of a rather cluttered window display promoting the 6th War Loan. Total amounts raised in the 6th War Loan were announced in early January, 1945, so much of the campaign coincided with the Christmas shopping season, which explains the "Peace on Earth" slogan and other decorations. The...
Show more1945 photo of a rather cluttered window display promoting the 6th War Loan. Total amounts raised in the 6th War Loan were announced in early January, 1945, so much of the campaign coincided with the Christmas shopping season, which explains the "Peace on Earth" slogan and other decorations. The local or regional goal was to raise $2.4 million. Many slogans appear in this display, e.g. "On to Tokyo," "Let's finish the job!" "Let's go for the knock out blow," and "Your country is still at war. Are you?" intimating perhaps an element of complacency or overconfidence on the part of citizens. Name of store is unknown.
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- Title
- War Bond Campaign
- Description
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1944 photo of store (very likely Sears on Church St.; note wall advertising) customers and/or employees signing up to buy U.S. war bonds. Large poster of GI throwing a hand grenade says: "[Let 'Em Have It. Buy Extra Bonds." Informal arrangement of "ordinary citizens" in an everyday setting...
Show more1944 photo of store (very likely Sears on Church St.; note wall advertising) customers and/or employees signing up to buy U.S. war bonds. Large poster of GI throwing a hand grenade says: "[Let 'Em Have It. Buy Extra Bonds." Informal arrangement of "ordinary citizens" in an everyday setting conveys the idea that everyone can contribute to the war effort.
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