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
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- Military Officers
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1935 or 1936 group portrait of military officers assembled outside Post Headquarters. Photo #5.
- Title
- Mount St. Mary's Academy - Miscellaneous
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1955 photo of a man standing with two nuns and a novice probably in a school classroom. Each holds a book.
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- MWA, 7628 (Modern Woodmen of America)
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Men and women of the MWA, 7628 (Modern Woodmen of America) 1930s? Photo #1. See also mcalA15F04i06
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- MWA, 7628 (Modern Woodmen of America)
- Description
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Men and women of the MWA, 7628 (Modern Woodmen of America) seated outside. Several uniformed men stand in back each with an insignia on their hats. 1930s? Photo #2. See also mcalA15F04i06
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- National Grange
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1953 photo of National Grange members with Trailways Tour bus in front of Burlington City Hall, corner of Church and Main Street, Burlington, Vt. Photo #3.
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- National Grange
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1953 photo of members of the National Grange standing outside on the steps of Burlington City Hall. Most are older adults but one young child is seen held by its father. Photo #5.
- Title
- National Grange
- Description
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1953 photo of National Grange members with Trailways Tour bus in front of Burlington City Hall, corner of Church and Main Street, Burlington, Vt. Photo #4.
- Title
- National Grange
- Description
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1953 photo of members of the National Grange standing outside on the steps of Burlington City Hall. Most are older adults but one young child is seen held by its father. Photo #6.
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- Painters and Decorators Union
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Large group of the Painters and Decorators Union assembled outside on the grass for a group photo. The organization's banner is seen in the back center with the number 119. Many of the men wear solid light colored (may be white) suits (some with special ribbon) with white hats and many hold small...
Show moreLarge group of the Painters and Decorators Union assembled outside on the grass for a group photo. The organization's banner is seen in the back center with the number 119. Many of the men wear solid light colored (may be white) suits (some with special ribbon) with white hats and many hold small American flags. A large flag also lies on the ground. Two boys also in suits are present.
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- Title
- Photographs
- Description
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Two images of a photo of a young priest. His portrait appears elsewhere in the McAllister collection (mcalA16F01i13)
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- Photographs
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Photograph of an undated photograph mounted on a paper frame of mostly elder men seated in rows in a building with elegant architecture. One man appears to be a member of the clergy.
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- Photographs
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Photograph of an informal photo pinned to a surface. Man has his arm around a woman's shoulders. They are both smiling.
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- Portraits - Family
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1945 family portrait photo of a man, his wife and grown children gathered in a living room on the sofa. Two young men in the military. Photo #2.
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- Portraits - Family
- Description
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1949 portrait photo of a young couple seated on an upholstered chair.
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- Portraits - Family
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A family gathered in their living room at Christmas (evergreens on the fireplace mantel and tree to far right). An older man and woman sit on a sofa with their daughter (?) and three grown sons(?) standing behind, each in the military. Photo #8. Dated 1945.
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- Portraits - Family
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1949 or 1950 group portrait photo of an older couple gathered in a living room with several other adults (grown children?). Woman seated on the right is a nun. Photo #3.
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- Portraits - Family
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1948 or 1949 group portrait photo of several men and women. Photo #4.
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- Portraits - Family
- Description
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1945 outdoor photo of (l.-r.) a man, his infant son, the man's grandfather, and his father. The family dog is also present.
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- Portraits - Family
- Description
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1948 or 1949 portrait photo of a mature couple outside in front of their home.
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- Portraits - Family
- Description
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1950 photo of a man, a woman, a mare and her colt standing outside on a grassy field in front of a house. Photo #3.