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
- Bridges, Potash Brook
- Date Created
- 1928
- Description
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Workers constructing bridge improvement, Potash Brook, South Burlington
- Title
- Bridges, Potash Brook
- Date Created
- 1928
- Description
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Workers constructing bridge improvement, Potash Brook, South Burlington
- Title
- Burlington Airport
- Description
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October 12, 1937 photo of the open side of the wooden hangar during construction at the Burlington Vermont Municipal Airport. One of the bay panels is seen center in the opening. Construction workers in and around the structure.
- Title
- Burlington Airport
- Description
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Construction of the hangar at the Burlington Municipal Airport in this dated June 15, 1937 photo. Timber framework going up. Construction workers can be seen on top. McAllister's name embossed in the lower right above handwritten date.
- Title
- Burlington Airport
- Description
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Construction of the Burlington Municipal Airport hangar in this dated June 15, 1937 photo. Solid wood covering of the timber framework in place. Construction works seen around and on top. McAllister's name embossed in the lower right above handwritten date.
- Title
- Burlington Airport
- Description
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Nov. 1, 1935. Construction workers grading at Burlington Municipal Airport with W.P.A labor Project No.65-12-168. Hangar with wind sock flying above it, administration building, beacon tower and vehicles in the background.
- Title
- Burlington Airport
- Description
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City of Burlington, Vermont - Municipal Airport Photo dated Oct. 6, 1944. This view shows the form work for the north wall of the concrete foundation walls being constructed by Street Department forces for the resetting of the metal hangar just south of the wooden hangar. A contract was awarded...
Show moreCity of Burlington, Vermont - Municipal Airport Photo dated Oct. 6, 1944. This view shows the form work for the north wall of the concrete foundation walls being constructed by Street Department forces for the resetting of the metal hangar just south of the wooden hangar. A contract was awarded to the Street Department to build these foundation walls including all materials, labor and equipment for the sum of $1500.00. Construction workers, wooden planks for getting up to and down from the main platform and vehicles can be seen.
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- Title
- Burlington Airport
- Description
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Construction of the hangar at the Burlington Municipal Airport in this dated photo of June 22, 1937. Construction workers can be seen on top. Row of supplies seen at the base of the building near a ladder.
- Title
- Burlington Airport
- Description
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City of Burlington, Vermont - Municipal Airport Photo dated Oct. 3, 1944. This view shows the form work for the south wall of the concrete foundation walls being constructed by Street Department forces for resetting of the metal hangar just south of the wooden hangar. A contract was awarded to...
Show moreCity of Burlington, Vermont - Municipal Airport Photo dated Oct. 3, 1944. This view shows the form work for the south wall of the concrete foundation walls being constructed by Street Department forces for resetting of the metal hangar just south of the wooden hangar. A contract was awarded to the Street Department to build these foundation walls including all materials, labor and equipment for the sum of $1500.00 Several workmen and automobiles seen on site.
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- Title
- Burlington Airport
- Description
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Nov. 1, 1935. Grading at Burlington Municipal Airport with W.P.A labor Project No. 65-12-168. Area is being graded is East of North and South runway and South of East and West runway.
- Title
- Burlington Airport
- Description
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September 7, 1937 photo of the back side of the wooden hangar showing open framework on the upper story and a black piece of sheeting (construction material) hanging vertically on the wall. Workers seen on the upper story.
- Title
- Burlington Airport
- Description
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Early stage of construction of the wooden hangar at the Burlington Vermont Municipal Airport. Probably early summer (June) 1937. Two workers seen seated atop of open framework. Other workers to the extreme right near timber supports. Embossed McAllister name in lower right.
- Title
- Burlington Airport
- Description
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Nov. 1, 1935. Construction workers use shovels on an excavated piece of land at site of Burlington Municipal Airport.
- Title
- Burlington Airport
- Description
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November 23, 1939. WPA (Work Projects Administration) Project No. 65-1-12-43. This view shows the penetration of the armor coat on the northerly half of the 1,250 foot extension of the north-south runway. This view also shows the spreading operation of applying the peastone cover with the aid of...
Show moreNovember 23, 1939. WPA (Work Projects Administration) Project No. 65-1-12-43. This view shows the penetration of the armor coat on the northerly half of the 1,250 foot extension of the north-south runway. This view also shows the spreading operation of applying the peastone cover with the aid of the rotary type chip spreader as well as the rolling of the surface with a ten ton tandem roller and hand brooming of the peastone cover where necessary. Note the 100 foot radius turning area at the upper right of the picture.
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- Title
- Burlington Airport
- Description
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Construction of the Burlington Municipal Airport hangar in this June 11, 1937 photo. Timber framework is being built. Construction workers seen around and on top.
- Title
- Burlington Airport
- Description
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Construction of the hangar at the Burlington Municipal Airport in this dated June 15, 1937 photo. Timber framework going up. Construction workers can be seen on top. McAllister's name embossed in the lower right above handwritten date.
- Title
- Burlington Airport (4X5's)
- Date Created
- 1934-1941
- Description
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June 12, 1935. Caption on photo : #2 - Burlington, VT. 6-12-35 V.E.R.A. Proj. 402-B15-1 Burlington Municipal Airport, East Section of E + W Runway, showing excavated material on either side being loaded with Power Shovel and used for grading, also drainage system being installed and crushed stone...
Show moreJune 12, 1935. Caption on photo : #2 - Burlington, VT. 6-12-35 V.E.R.A. Proj. 402-B15-1 Burlington Municipal Airport, East Section of E + W Runway, showing excavated material on either side being loaded with Power Shovel and used for grading, also drainage system being installed and crushed stone being placed on sand ? for stabilization work with Asphalt Emulsion.
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- Title
- Burlington City Hall
- Description
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Beginning construction of Burlington City Hall, construction workers, and other Burlington buildings
- Title
- Burlington Street Department Buildings - Construction of Building
- Description
-
May 2, 1934. P.W.A. (Public Works Administration) Project #2215 A view of the Steel framework of the Street Dept. Central Plant looking northerly.
- Title
- Burlington Street Department Buildings - Construction of Building
- Description
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March 1, 1934. P.W.A. (Public Works Administration) Project Docket #2215 A view showing the pouring of the foundations of the fire wall between office and garages at the Street Dept. Central Plant Building.