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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Five men stand in a carpeted room in front of a bold patterned curtain with what appears to be a musical motif. They each hold a sheet of paper in their hands; looks to be a certificate. Undated but 1956 or 1957 as other similar images are dated.
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1944 photo of two men, taken perhaps in the lobby of a business (see artwork in background). Location, occasion unknown.
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Photo collage with heads of men on owl bodies. The owls sit on branches of a tree. This may be a fanciful depiction of the fraternity of Lambda Iota at the University of Vermont, which claimed the owl as its mascot. The photo may date from 1935, but the collage itself could be older, if one...
Show morePhoto collage with heads of men on owl bodies. The owls sit on branches of a tree. This may be a fanciful depiction of the fraternity of Lambda Iota at the University of Vermont, which claimed the owl as its mascot. The photo may date from 1935, but the collage itself could be older, if one considers hair styles and certain facial hair arrangements.
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1945 photo of what appears to be a business meeting and a presentation pertaining to the Farnsworth Co. that manufactures televisions and other electronic transmitters and receivers. Wall display shows a certificate indicating that "John Doe & Company" is an "approved Farnsworth dealer."...
Show more1945 photo of what appears to be a business meeting and a presentation pertaining to the Farnsworth Co. that manufactures televisions and other electronic transmitters and receivers. Wall display shows a certificate indicating that "John Doe & Company" is an "approved Farnsworth dealer." Presumably the attendees, which include some women, have an interest in the company.
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Ca. 1947 photo of a restaurant scene, with an elderly foursome (right) offering a toast (milestone anniversary?).
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1947 photo of a meeting of men and women affiliated with the Nash bed company. (See also mcalB15F22i07.) Identity of persons, venue, occasion unknown.
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Independent Order of Odd Fellows? 150 Bank Street, Burlington?
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1953 indoor group portrait of large number of men and women.
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1953 photo of men and women gathered at the end of a long narrow room in a restaurant that has bold patterned wallpaper and printed curtains. A television has been added as seen in the upper right corner. See mcalB16F06i04 for an earlier photo. Photo #2.
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Men playing horse shoes. 1949. Photo #5. A view of the wooded area where several pits have been dug. Spectators sit on logs or stand. Parked cars and buildings seen in the background.
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1951 or 1952 photo of a group of men and women gathered at a rustic restaurant. Candles, greenery and pine cones decorate the tables. The women wear what may be Christmas corsages. Photo #1?
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1949 photo of a group of men gathered for a portrait. Behind and above the men on a ledge are seen wine bottles, beer steins. Photo #2.
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Large group of young people and some adults in a restaurant, perhaps students and teachers. Location, occasion, date unknown.
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1953 indoor group portrait photo of men and women in a restaurant. Captains' chairs seen in foreground. Photo #1.
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1945 photo of 6 men, all wearing white shirts, ties, and dark trousers--business attire of an as yet unknown business. Background looks like a small theater stage, with several layers of curtains. Group, venue, and occasion are unknown.
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1944 photo of three men and a woman (who resembles Margaret Thatcher) looking over some documents. Several photos of buildings and houses are on the wall. Location may be an architectural firm, but that remains unknown along with the identity of the persons and the occasion.
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1944 photo of two men. Likely scenario: one is presenting the other with a check or other document. Further details on identity, location, or occasion are unknown.
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1951 group of men and women of various ages (and one child) gathered outside for a portrait in front of a brick building.
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1944 photo of a group of men and women (2) who appear to be employees of Corenco, an award-winning company for safety. Location (not listed in Burlington/Winooski directories) and further details on the identity of the group or the occasion are unknown.
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1952 portrait photo of several people seated at a banquet table at a restaurant or other public or commercial space. The seated woman in print dress seen also in mcalB16F05i01, i03 and i05 images Photo #3.