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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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.
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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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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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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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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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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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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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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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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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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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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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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1953 indoor group portrait photo of men and (mostly) women gathered around dining tables probably at a restaurant. Photo #3.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1947 photo of a gathering of family and/or friends. Identity of group, venue, and occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1953 photo of men and women seated at dining tables in a long narrow room of a restaurant. Photo #2.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1953 photo of a group of men and women gathered for a portrait. Photo #3.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1948 photo of a large group of men and women, of varying ages, dressed for a social function. Identity of persons, venue, and occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1945 photo of a group of women (and one lucky guy) gathered at a dining table, with an American flag behind them. Identity of group, venue, and occasion are unknown. (Same group as in mcalB15F16i15.)