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
- 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 Streets: East Ave.
- Date Created
- 1936-01-17
- Description
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Undated photo of construction crew working in winter building Telford Stone Base on East Ave., WPA (Work Projects Administration) Project.
- Title
- Burlington Streets: East Ave.
- Date Created
- 1938-02-26
- Description
-
Feb. 26, 1938 dated photo. East Avenue from near Colchester Avenue looking South, WPA (Work Projects Administration) Project No. 65-12-336. This view shows the widening project carried on during the winter months. This street was widened to a total width of thirty feet and a slope of 1 -1 1/2 was...
Show moreFeb. 26, 1938 dated photo. East Avenue from near Colchester Avenue looking South, WPA (Work Projects Administration) Project No. 65-12-336. This view shows the widening project carried on during the winter months. This street was widened to a total width of thirty feet and a slope of 1 -1 1/2 was given to the shoulders. The old power line was reconstructed with new poles and fixtures and placed in a position to allow for future development. Another project is being prepared for future development of a new pavement and further widening at the south end of this street.
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Locust St.
- Description
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May 8, 1939. Locust Street, WPA Project No. 665-12-1-38 looking easterly from Pine Street while constructing telford base and sidewalk filling.
- Title
- Burlington Streets: Main Street (Upper)
- Description
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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).
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- Title
- Burlington Streets: Pine St.
- Description
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February 23, 1940. WPA Project No. 665-12-1-38, Street Improvements - Pine Street This view shows the excavation practically completed on Pine Street between Flynn Ave and Ferguson Ave ready for the sand cushion and telfold base. Some of this excavation is being done by hand labor using wedges...
Show moreFebruary 23, 1940. WPA Project No. 665-12-1-38, Street Improvements - Pine Street This view shows the excavation practically completed on Pine Street between Flynn Ave and Ferguson Ave ready for the sand cushion and telfold base. Some of this excavation is being done by hand labor using wedges and sledge hammers as shown in the foreground and the remainder is being done with the aid of Paving Breakers and a No. 105 Ingersol-Rand Air compressor. Excavation on this block was from 20"-24" in depth in hard frost, the frost going to a depth of approximately five feet. St. Anthony's Church seen to the left.
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