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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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A large group of diners gather at tables for a meal. The tables are arranged along the walls of a narrow multi-room area. It appears that folding doors separate the rooms. A head table is seen in the distance. See also mcalA15F04i02
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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1959. .A large group of men and women gather inside a wood paneled room (stage behind) for a group photo. Burlington residents, Bob and Bea Earnshaw are seated in the front row far right. Bob worked for the Burlington Rendering Company. Photo #2. See also mcalA15F04i08
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A group of men stand in front of what was to become UVM's Royall Tyler Theater on campus in Burlington. It wasn't a theater at the time of this photo. It was a gymnasium. Undated but may be 1920s, 1930s.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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Several men and women (perhaps of the 1920s or 30s) stand on the steps and outside on the sidewalk of a large brick building. A four globe street lamp stands near an entrance.
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A group of men and women, stylishly dressed in 1920s or 1930s fashion pose with a young women holding a bouquet of two dozen roses. They stand outside near the steps of a large brick building.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A large group of men and women gather outside at night. A low brick wall is beside them and a brick pavement is also seen. Many wear badges. A priest is among them.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A photo of a group of men in formal dress gathered around a piano.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A formal portrait of a propeller driven airplane sitting in a open field with 20 men standing and kneeling beside it. The word SHELL is printed on the side of the plane. See also mcalA15F08i10.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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ROTC banners hang on the wall in the back of a large gymnasium type room. Crepe paper streamers festoon from the ceiling above a large group of men and women. Some of the men are in uniform. A group of musicians are seen on a raised band stand near the center of the room in the background.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A group of men gather near a lake shore with metal bowls in their hands. Two large kettles are at the right; perhaps containing soup or stew. A flat boat and another boat are in the water.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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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. Undated but may be 1950s. See also mcalA15F05i11, i12 and i13.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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Three young men stand at ease in their military uniforms. They appear to be in a living room as family photos can be seen behind them.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A large group of men and women gather for a group portrait. They are assembled in a room with cloth covered dining tables.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A large group of men all dressed in suits and ties and two women pose near a curtained stage for a group photo.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A large group of men and women gather at a rustic restaurant(?) for a special meal and event. Dining tables are set and decorated with evergreens, candles and a special centerpiece seen at the head table.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A group of men and women gather outside for a group photo.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A gathering of men assemble outside on the steps of an as yet unidentified building, possibly at the University of Vermont. This particular entrance consisting of 4 heavy doors, a dozen or more steps, massive railing, columns, and lamps, seems no longer to exist. The date of the photo may late...
Show moreA gathering of men assemble outside on the steps of an as yet unidentified building, possibly at the University of Vermont. This particular entrance consisting of 4 heavy doors, a dozen or more steps, massive railing, columns, and lamps, seems no longer to exist. The date of the photo may late 1930s or early 1940s. Mc6 is seen in photographer's hand writing indicating his numbering system.
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- Title
- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- Description
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A large group of diners gather at tables for a meal. The tables are arranged along the walls of a narrow multi-room area. It appears that folding doors separate the rooms. A head table is seen in the distance. See also mcalA15F04i16
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
- Description
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Five clergymen, three women and four other men pose for a portrait.
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- Portraits, groups, unidentified
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A gathering of men stand outside in winter on the steps of the state capitol building in Montpelier, Vermont. Undated but may be 1920s?