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 photo of a group of men and women ready to board a train. Most passengers have tags attached to their clothing. Train station very likely in Essex Junction, Vt. A few cars are parked on the left. A Western Union sign can be seen in the distance, left.
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1952 photo of men seated at banquet tables in a public or commercial space. At the far end of the room it reads "Welcome" and has the medical symbol caduceus. Photo #3. See also mcalB16F05i07 and i08
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1935 or 1936 indoor photo of three men. Two hold a trophy of some sort. Boston ferns seen in the background. Same distinctive location with decorative latice work as seen in mcalB15F13i01. See also mcalB15F12i04 for different exposure of same men.
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1957 / 1958. This rustic wooden paneled room (perhaps a restaurant) is where a group of men and women gather for a group portrait. Burlington residents, Bob and Bea Earnshaw in second row seated left side. Photo #4. See also mcalA15F05i12, i13 and mcalA15F08i01, mcalA15F05i11
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1947 (perhaps Spring) photo of a group of well-dressed, influential looking men and women gathered at a train station. Identity of group or attendees, venue, occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1947 (perhaps Spring) photo of a group of well-dressed, influential looking men and women gathered at a train station. Identity of group or attendees, venue, occasion unknown.
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1953 indoor photo of four older men seated on a sofa with four older women standing directly behind them. Photo #1?
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A young man and three women stand outside a log cabin. One woman is older. Dated 1935-1936.
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1945 photo of a large group of men and women gathered at a restaurant (with the "Music by Wurlitzer" wall mounting). Occasion and venue unknown.
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Another 1949 photo of a group of men, women, a nun and children gathered in a room; perhaps a kitchen (linoleum floor) for a portrait. See also mcalB16F01i06 with just the adults. Photo #4.
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1944 photo of William H. Wills (center), Governor of Vermont (1941-1945) who has just signed a document, is having a pin attached to his lapel, perhaps. The man on the left, still unidentified, is *not* the Lt. Gov. of the time, Mortimer Proctor. The lady on the right is probably his secretary. A...
Show more1944 photo of William H. Wills (center), Governor of Vermont (1941-1945) who has just signed a document, is having a pin attached to his lapel, perhaps. The man on the left, still unidentified, is *not* the Lt. Gov. of the time, Mortimer Proctor. The lady on the right is probably his secretary. A photo of Wills's wife, Hazel, is on the left side of the desk. Photo #3.
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1952 group portrait of men and women (including the chef) gathered around several dining tables in a restaurant or other public or commercial space. Photo #1. The seated woman in print dress seen also in mcalB16F05i01, i03 and i05, i13 images
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1935 or 1936 indoor photo of three men. Two hold a trophy of some sort. Boston ferns seen in the background. Same distinctive location with decorative latice work as seen in mcalB15F13i01
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Over exposed 1935 / 1936 winter photo of a group of well-dressed, influential men standing in front of an airplane, presumably at Burlington Int'l Airport. On the left is a delivery truck owned by Railway Express Agency, which had headquarters at 111 St. Paul St., Burlington. The City Directory...
Show moreOver exposed 1935 / 1936 winter photo of a group of well-dressed, influential men standing in front of an airplane, presumably at Burlington Int'l Airport. On the left is a delivery truck owned by Railway Express Agency, which had headquarters at 111 St. Paul St., Burlington. The City Directory lists Herbert E. Fitch as agent. Also on the left: a boy with his dog that lays on a crate with sign "Live Dog". Occasion and purpose of photo unknown.
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1945 photo of 7 men in dark suits, assembled for a portrait photo. Identity of men, venue, and occasion unknown.
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Ca. 1945 photo of a large group of men, participants in either a conference or a reunion, assembled in front of the Robert H. Fleming Museum.
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1949 or 1950 photo of a group of men and women gathered in a room perhaps a restaurant. Some sit at dining tables; others stand behind.
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1953 photo of mostly women but also a few men gathered in a restaurant. Tables arranged in two long rows.
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A group of men pose for a portrait photo. Dated 1935-1936. Same location as mcalB15F13i01
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1947 photo of a group of men, very likely academics, seated on bleachers outside a house. Identity of persons, venue, and occasion are unknown.