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: "Cooties" Club
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1945 members of the Burlington Vermont Supreme Cootiette Club of the United States No. 113 dinner. Photo #4.
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- Burlington: "Cooties" Club
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1952 Back of photo: "Bugs Contacts Grange Hall" Members of the Burlington Vermont Supreme Cootiette Club of the United States No. 113. Photo #3.
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- Burlington: "Cooties" Club
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1952 Back of photo: "Bugs Contacts Grange Hall" Group photo of members of the Supreme Cootiette Club of the United States. The women wear caps similar to those of nurses. Clubs nationwide formed as early as 1930. Photo #5.
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- Burlington: "Cooties" Club
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1944 / 1951 photo of members of the Burlington Vermont Supreme Cootiette Club of the United States gathered at Red's Restaurant in Winooski, Vermont at 42 Main Street. A Halloween paper cat decoration hangs near a window so the gathering may have taken place in October. Possibly 1945 or 1946....
Show more1944 / 1951 photo of members of the Burlington Vermont Supreme Cootiette Club of the United States gathered at Red's Restaurant in Winooski, Vermont at 42 Main Street. A Halloween paper cat decoration hangs near a window so the gathering may have taken place in October. Possibly 1945 or 1946. Photo #2.
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- Title
- Burlington: "Cooties" Club
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Circa 1944-1951 photo of men and women of the "Cooties" Club, a VFW post World War II voluntary, non-profit auxiliary organization formed to offer support to veterans and families. The letters "MOC" seen on the table stand for "Military Order of the Cootie"
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- Burlington: "Cooties" Club
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1953 members of the Burlington Vermont Supreme Cootiette Club of the United States No. 113. Vests are embroidered with the words Cootiette, the person's first name, Local 113, Vermont. Photo #1.
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- Burlington: "Cooties" Club
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1944 / 1951 Members of the Burlington Vermont Supreme Cootiette Club of the United States sit for a group portrait. Possibly 1948 or 1949. Photo #2.
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- Burlington: "Cooties" Club
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1952 Back of photo: "Bugs Contacts Grange Hall" Members of the Burlington Vermont Supreme Cootiette Club of the United States No. 113. Photo #4.
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- Burlington: "Cooties" Club
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1952 Back of photo: "Bugs Contacts Grange Hall" Three women veterans participate in the ceremony of passing the gavel at a meeting of the Supreme Cootiette Club of the United States No. 113. Photo #9.
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- Burlington: "Cooties" Club
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1952 Back of photo: "Bugs Contacts Grange Hall" Group photo of members of the Supreme Cootiette Club of the United States. The women wear caps similar to those of nurses. Clubs nationwide formed as early as 1930. Photo #6.
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- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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1951 photo of a few veterans, Santa Claus, and perhaps the VFW Ladies' Auxiliary--people involved in organizing the Christmas bazaar at Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vt.
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- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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Group of older women belonging to a Mothers Club. There are different types of these clubs ; blue star for mothers with sons and daughters in the military ; gold star for sons and daughters killed while serving. A banner is held by one woman. The number 797 can be seen on the women's caps....
Show moreGroup of older women belonging to a Mothers Club. There are different types of these clubs ; blue star for mothers with sons and daughters in the military ; gold star for sons and daughters killed while serving. A banner is held by one woman. The number 797 can be seen on the women's caps. Undated but may be early 1950s? Photo no. 2.
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- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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1957 photo taken at a VFW function, which remains unknown. Scenario seems to indicate that a young lady had won some distinction (perhaps an essay writing contest?) and is being photographed with her proud parents at the VFW hall.
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- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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A group of seven women each wearing a corsage stand for a portrait. Photo no. 4.
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- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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A group of older women dressed in white dresses pose for a group portrait. They were their organization's cap with the group's local chapter number. 797? Photo no. 1.
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- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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A group of women veterans gather for a portrait.
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- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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1951 photo of some of the volunteers at the VFW Christmas bazaar, including Santa Claus. Some of the women are wearing veterans' caps. Location is Memorial Auditorium.
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- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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1951 candid photo of some of the volunteers at the VFW Christmas bazaar, including Santa Claus. McAllister has captured a lively moment in the group interaction. Venue is Memorial Auditorium.
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- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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1951 candid photo of some of the volunteers at the VFW Christmas bazaar, including Santa Claus, who appears to be making an announcement. Venue is Memorial Auditorium.
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- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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Ca. 1946 photo of a promotion for "Wear a V.F.W. Buddy Poppy," very likely a fund raising activity for the VFW. Two women hold a poster describing the concept, while a veteran (wearing the cap) either receives or gives a poppy to a lady. The location may be the offices of the VFW at 69 College St...
Show moreCa. 1946 photo of a promotion for "Wear a V.F.W. Buddy Poppy," very likely a fund raising activity for the VFW. Two women hold a poster describing the concept, while a veteran (wearing the cap) either receives or gives a poppy to a lady. The location may be the offices of the VFW at 69 College St., Burlington, Vt. (Howard Plant Post, #782). In the background are an American flag, the VFW post flag, a cross, and some military emblems.
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