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
Show less
Related Archival Collection
Pages
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
-
May 5, 1943. Trolley track Rail Removal Project by crew members of the Burlington street dept. Burlington, Vermont. This view looking west towards City Hall (seen in the upper right corner) shows the rails being removed from Main Street in front of the U.S. Post Office where a hot-mix asphalt...
Show moreMay 5, 1943. Trolley track Rail Removal Project by crew members of the Burlington street dept. Burlington, Vermont. This view looking west towards City Hall (seen in the upper right corner) shows the rails being removed from Main Street 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. On the left further down the street is the sign for the Hotel Vermont.
Show less
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
-
May, 5, 1943. Rail Removal Project, Burlington, Vermont. This view shows 3 stages of the project on Main St. in front of the U.S. Post Office (on the left). In the foreground can be seen the concrete base which is just being poured in the trench on the right and the sub-base ready to receive the...
Show moreMay, 5, 1943. Rail Removal Project, Burlington, Vermont. This view shows 3 stages of the project on Main St. in front of the U.S. Post Office (on the left). In the foreground can be seen the concrete base which is just being poured in the trench on the right and the sub-base ready to receive the concrete in the trench on the left, also 6 inch header at point of switch. The trench on the right beyond the header is ready for the rail to be removed. The rail is being removed in the background from the trench on the left by aid of the "A" frame and derrick. 2 inch hot asphalt plant mix will be constructed on top of the concrete base to finish the pavement. Also on the left center is the mansard roofed building that once was a place of worship for the First Baptist Church. Across the street from that building is seen a corner of the City Hall. On the right are businesses including the Federal Savings and Loan.
Show less
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
-
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.
Show less
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
-
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.
Show less
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
-
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.
Show less
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
-
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".
Show less
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
-
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.
Show less
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Lower)
- Description
-
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.
Show less
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Upper)
- Description
-
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).
Show less
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Upper)
- Description
-
Street dept crew resurfacing a portion of Main Street. Seen are several dept vehicles tamping the asphalt, spraying water to keep the dust down and unloading the asphalt. Undated (1930s?)
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Upper)
- Description
-
July 27, 1934 #2A 7/27/34 Main Street N.R.M. Project #60-B Applying Coda's Type #3 Asphalt Emulsion to bottom course of penetration 2 1/2". A Burlington street dept crew member stands behind vehicle as it sprays the emulsion.
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Upper)
- Description
-
July 20, 1934 view of Main Street being resurfaced. Probably the same construction project N. R. M. #60B as seen in photo mcalA05F15i09. One half of the road is laid with crushed material. To the right a sign warns motorists "Danger, street construction, workmen ahead, drive slowly"
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Manhattan Drive
- Description
-
Undated photo but may be 1938 view of road construction along Manhattan Drive. A tanker truck with sign reads "Hot Asphalt, Standard Oil Co of N Y." A crew member of the Burlington Street Dept stands at the back of the truck.
- Title
- Burlington Streets: North Bend Street
- Description
-
January 20, 1944. NORTH BEND STREET SEWER CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. This view shows the intersection of North Bend Street in front of the Pomeroy "Stone" Cottage. This project extends from the intersection of Oak Street and North Bend northerly a distance of 110 feet to the intersection shown in the...
Show moreJanuary 20, 1944. NORTH BEND STREET SEWER CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. This view shows the intersection of North Bend Street in front of the Pomeroy "Stone" Cottage. This project extends from the intersection of Oak Street and North Bend northerly a distance of 110 feet to the intersection shown in the foreground, thence easterly a distance of 167 feet to the dead-end manhole. A new manhole and two catch basins and one manhole are to be constructed at this intersection. 15 inch clay sewer tile is being used in the first section and 10 inch clay sewer tile is being used in the second section. This installation will take care of the surface drainage which here-to-fore has overflowed down over the bank to the left, into the Intervale, but because of the new road now leading to the Refuse Disposal Grounds, this surface water would create severe damage to the road and adjoining banks. Note also the catch basin being constructed at the intersection of North Bend Street and Walnut Street shown in the background. The frost on this date was approximately 4 feet in depth.
Show less
- Title
- Burlington Streets: North Bend Street
- Description
-
May 23, 1942. This view shows the intersection of St. Louis Street and North Bend Street as excavation on the road to the proposed City Dump on the Intervale was being started Saturday morning May 23, 1942. The view is looking up an easterly direction along North Bend St. Note the location of the...
Show moreMay 23, 1942. This view shows the intersection of St. Louis Street and North Bend Street as excavation on the road to the proposed City Dump on the Intervale was being started Saturday morning May 23, 1942. The view is looking up an easterly direction along North Bend St. Note the location of the pole line and the large Elm tree in the approximate center line of the right-of-way.
Show less
- Title
- Burlington Streets: North Bend Street
- Description
-
October 19, 1938 repaving project by the Burlington city street dept on North Bend Street. This would later become Manhattan Drive.
- Title
- Burlington Streets: North Bend Street
- Description
-
This view shows the intersection of St. Louis Street and North Bend Street as excavation on the road to the proposed City Dump on the Intervale was being started Saturday morning May 23, 1942.
- Title
- Burlington Streets: North Bend Street
- Description
-
May 23, 1942. This view shows the intersection of St. Louis Street and North Bend Street as excavation on the road to the proposed City Dump on the Intervale was being started Saturday morning May 23. This view is looking in a westerly direction along North Bend Road.
- Title
- Burlington Streets: North Bend Street
- Description
-
July 12, 1945. North Bend Street Asphalt Pavement Project. This view taken from the intersection of Pitkin St. and Ward St. looking westerly shows the preparation of the crushed stone base on the northerly half of the street before receiving the asphalt penetration. Note the windrows of excavated...
Show moreJuly 12, 1945. North Bend Street Asphalt Pavement Project. This view taken from the intersection of Pitkin St. and Ward St. looking westerly shows the preparation of the crushed stone base on the northerly half of the street before receiving the asphalt penetration. Note the windrows of excavated material along the shoulder of the street back of the curb where it was pushed with the aid of a heavy duty power grader to eliminate hand labor and hauling off the job.
Show less
- Title
- Burlington Streets: North Bend Street
- Description
-
October 19, 1938. Crew of the city street dept repave and resurface a section of North Bend Street (that will later be renamed Manhattan Drive)