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
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- Circus People
- Description
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Photo of two men of the circus standing near the company's trailers. The man of the left may be the Iceland Viking Giant as seen in mcalA09F08i02 and mcalA09F09i03 in his costume. May be 1940s-50s at the Champlain Valley Fair, Essex Junction, Vermont.
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- Circus People
- Description
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Three portrait photos of the same lady, a member of the circus. Same lady as in mcalA09F08i05 and 07. The Circus may have been an independent organization that traveled to Vermont and set up at the Champlain Valley Exposition fairgrounds. 1940s-50s?
- Title
- Circus People
- Description
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One of several photographs of Baby Thelma Williams as the circus "Fat Lady." This one showing her reclining on an wooden bench with one arm resting on the arm of the bench. One leg rests on the cushioned seat. Early 1950s photo possibly taken at the Champlain Valley Fair.
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- Circus People
- Description
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Portrait photo of a lady of the circus standing outside a tent. Same lady as seen in mcalA09F08i05, 06, 07 and 08. May be 1940s-50s at the Champlain Valley Fair.
- Title
- Circus People
- Description
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Photo contact sheet that includes photos of the trailer living quarters and portrait photos of the lady of the circus. Same lady as seen in mcalA09F08i05, 06 and 07. 1940s-50s?
- Title
- Circus People
- Description
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Photo of the lady of the circus (mcalA09F08i10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and other photos) seen here with Iceland Viking Giant (as seen in mcalA09F08i02) standing outside a tent. May be 1940s-50s? at the Champlain Valley Fair.
- Title
- Circus People
- Description
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Photo of Baby Thelma Williams as the circus "Fat Lady." Early 1950s photo possibly taken at the Champlain Valley Fair.
- Title
- Circus People
- Description
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Portrait photo of a lady of the circus standing outside a tent with flowers in her hair. Same lady as seen in mcalA09F08i05 through 13. May be 1940s-50s at the Champlain Valley Fair.
- Title
- Circus People
- Description
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Photo of the living quarters inside her trailer of a lady of the circus. Same lady as seen in mcalA09F08i05 and 06. The Circus may have been an independent organization that traveled to Vermont and set up at the Champlain Valley Exposition fairgrounds. 1940s-50s?
- Title
- Circus People
- Description
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Photo of the Iceland Viking Giant standing outside beside a tent of the main circus sideshow. The Circus may have been an independent organization that traveled to Vermont and set up at the Champlain Valley Exposition fairgrounds. 1940s-50s?
- Title
- McAllister Memorabilia
- Description
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Publicity photo postcard of Charles Barent inscribed with his circus name Sealo. He was with the side show attractions associated with the Ringling Bros, and Barnum & Bailey Circus. On the back is written in pen, "Compliments of Sealo World of Mirth Shows 1956"
- Title
- Portraits - Circus
- Description
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1951/1952 photo of Baby Thelma Williams as the circus "Fat Lady."
- Title
- Portraits - Circus
- Description
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1951/1952 photo of Baby Thelma Williams as the circus "Fat Lady."
- Title
- Portraits - Circus
- Description
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1951/1952 photo of Baby Thelma Williams as the circus "Fat Lady" reclining on a bench.
- Title
- Portraits - Circus
- Description
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1951/1952 photo of Baby Thelma Williams as the circus "Fat Lady."
- Title
- Portraits - Circus
- Description
-
1951/1952 photo of Baby Thelma Williams as the circus "Fat Lady."
- Title
- Portraits - Circus
- Description
-
1951/1952 photo of Baby Thelma Williams as the circus "Fat Lady."
- Title
- Portraits - Circus
- Description
-
1951/1952 photo of Baby Thelma Williams as the circus "Fat Lady."