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
Pages
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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1952 photo of a VFW Christmas event, very likely at Memorial Auditorium. Men and women wearing garrison caps with veterans' insignia are seated and standing for a portrait, with Santa Claus and a Christmas tree in the background.
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- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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1952 photo showing more of the interior of Memorial Auditorium. The occasion is very likely an annual Christmas bazaar sponsored by the VFW. A group appear to be lined up to see Santa Claus. Memorial Auditorium opened in 1928 and has a seating capacity of 2,500.
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- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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A group of older men and one older woman gather for a group portrait. She wears a corsage, several of the men wear their organization's caps. Photo no. 1.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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1959 photo of a veteran speaking at Battery Park, very likely on Veterans Day. A small crowd of veterans and citizens has gathered near the VFW war memorial.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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1957 photo of a veterans' ceremony at Battery Park in Burlington, Vt., perhaps on Veterans Day. Crowd consists of men and women veterans (many wearing uniforms and/or garrison caps), and children. This gathering is at the Howard William Plant memorial. Plant, as the plaque states, was the "first...
Show more1957 photo of a veterans' ceremony at Battery Park in Burlington, Vt., perhaps on Veterans Day. Crowd consists of men and women veterans (many wearing uniforms and/or garrison caps), and children. This gathering is at the Howard William Plant memorial. Plant, as the plaque states, was the "first Burlington boy" to die in World War I. VFW Post #782 is named the "Howard Plant Post" in his honor. Plant died in 1917, so this ceremony marked the 40th anniversary of his death.
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- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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1957 photo of 16 veterans (of World War II, most likely) at the VFW hall. This may be a get-together after a Veterans Day observance such as the one seen in mcalB21F12i02.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
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Same event as in mcalB21F12i02 but with a different veteran speaking at the microphone. Very likely Veterans Day at Battery Park.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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1951 photo of some of the volunteers at the VFW Christmas bazaar, including Santa Claus. Some of the women are wearing veterans' caps. Location is Memorial Auditorium.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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The men gather for a group portrait. Banner in the background reads "Ladies Auxiliary Howard Plant, Post No. 782, Burlington, Vermont, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States" Instituted June 1924. Photo #2.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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1952 photo (blurry) of the crowd at Memorial Auditorium for a VFW Christmas bazaar (note decorated tree and Santa Claus). Some veterans can be seen wearing their caps. Santa seems to be the center of attention at this moment.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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1951 candid photo of some of the volunteers at the VFW Christmas bazaar, including Santa Claus. McAllister has captured a lively moment in the group interaction. Venue is Memorial Auditorium.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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Ca. 1946 photo of a promotion for "Wear a V.F.W. Buddy Poppy," very likely a fund raising activity for the VFW. Two women hold a poster describing the concept, while a veteran (wearing the cap) either receives or gives a poppy to a lady. The location may be the offices of the VFW at 69 College St...
Show moreCa. 1946 photo of a promotion for "Wear a V.F.W. Buddy Poppy," very likely a fund raising activity for the VFW. Two women hold a poster describing the concept, while a veteran (wearing the cap) either receives or gives a poppy to a lady. The location may be the offices of the VFW at 69 College St., Burlington, Vt. (Howard Plant Post, #782). In the background are an American flag, the VFW post flag, a cross, and some military emblems.
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- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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Group portrait of military veterans at a celebratory gathering.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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Group portrait of military veterans at a celebratory gathering.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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Another view of Veterans Day (1957) at Battery Park, Burlington, Vt. Veterans, one soldier in uniform, and children from the neighborhood are present. The speaker at the microphone is as yet unidentified but could easily be a veteran of World War I (see also mcalB21F12i01-mcalB21F12i02).
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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1957 photo of a Veterans Day memorial at Battery Park in Burlington, Vt. Crowd consists of men and women veterans (many wearing uniforms and/or garrison caps), and children. A few men seem to be lined up to speak at the microphone.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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A group of older men and one older woman gather for a group portrait. She wears a corsage, several of the men wear their organization's caps. A pin on one man's shirt reads "D.A.V." (Disabled American Veterans) Photo no. 2. See also mcalB08F03i02
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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Two men shake hands at a presentation where two oxygen tanks and other equipment in a container are being given. Banner in the background reads "Ladies Auxiliary Howard Plant, Post No. 782, Burlington, Vermont, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States" Instituted June 1924.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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1957 photo of a gathering of veterans at Battery Park, Burlington, Vt. Occasion very likely is Veterans Day. A speaker is addressing the crowd. This may be J. Edward Moran, mayor of Burlington 1949-1957 and then manager of the airport.
- Title
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Description
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1952 photo of the crowd at Memorial Auditorium for a VFW Christmas bazaar (note decorated tree and Santa Claus).