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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1945 portrait photo of a man standing next to a plaque on the grounds of the boys resident summer camp Abnaki in North Hero, Vermont. One of the main buildings seen in back along with a totem pole. Photo 8.
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- Portraits - Individuals
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1945 photo of a man in a sailor seaman uniform standing in a room with a sofa seen behind him.
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- Portraits - Individuals
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A workman uses a wrench to tighten a bolt as he works on a vertical chute or conveyor belt. He stands in an open commercial room with a brick floor. Heavy industrial size pipes seen in background to the left. Dated 1951.
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- Portraits - Individuals
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An older man in white dress uniform with cap. Dated 1956 / 1957.
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- Portraits - Individuals
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1945 or 1946 photo of a portrait photo. Shown is a young man in a military uniform. Photo has been set up on a rough plank board surface with shelves behind containing rolls of paper. Appears to be McAllister's cellar studio with some of his panoramic photos rolled up. Similar surface appears in...
Show more1945 or 1946 photo of a portrait photo. Shown is a young man in a military uniform. Photo has been set up on a rough plank board surface with shelves behind containing rolls of paper. Appears to be McAllister's cellar studio with some of his panoramic photos rolled up. Similar surface appears in mcalB10F21i10.
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- Portraits - Individuals
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1947 or 1948 portrait photo of a young man in a tuxedo.
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- Portraits - Individuals
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A workman uses a wrench to tighten a bolt on a heavy piece of machinery. He stands in an open commercial room with a brick floor. Heavy industrial size pipes seen. He rests his foot on a metal box with a handle and mesh screen top. Dated 1951.
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- Portraits - Individuals
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Mid 1940s photo of an older man working on the legs of a piece of furniture (cabinet?). The room has remnants of wallpaper and appears now to be a workshop. See also mcalB16F14i09
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- Portraits - Individuals
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1947/ 1948 portrait photo of an older man standing in a back yard next to a flowering bush.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1945 photo of a group of men and women assembled in a large room that has been decorated somewhat. Identity of the group, venue, and the location are unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Undated photo of a group of people gathered outside at night on a bricked patio or terrace. They wear name tags with photos of their younger selves. Class reunion? Photo 2.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1949 photo of a group of men and women seated at dining tables in a large open room, a restaurant or dining hall. Photo #4.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Two men in shirt and tie playing horse shoes. 1949. Other male participants some holding horse shoes stand behind. Photo #2.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Two men, possibly brothers, standing on either side of a bear that they have killed and hung up to be dressed.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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A group of men and women (along with a few young children) gathered at a rustic restaurant with knotty pine paneled walls, hard wood floors and a wooden chandelier made from logs. Photo #1?
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1945 photo of 20 men and 2 women, very likely employees of a company. Identity of company and location unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Seven men in overcoats and hats stand in a line for a portrait photo. Dated 1935-1936. Two of the men are the same as seen in mcalB15F12i05.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1944 indoor photo of a group of men and women, gathered in front of several theatrical curtains for their portrait. Two women are holding bowling pins. Name of group, location, occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1949 photo printed from a damaged negative. A group of older men and women sit at dining tables in a restaurant. Bar with beverage bottles seen center background. Walls are knotty pine, floor hard wood, drop panel ceiling. Photo #4.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Large group of men and women gathered in a room perhaps a restaurant for a portrait. Print made from damaged negative. Dated 1949. Photo #2.