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 large group of men and women gathered in front of some banquet tables. Some men on the right are holding small books for display. Name of group, location, occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1947 photo of family and friends celebrating at a restaurant. Identity of persons, venue, occasion unknown.
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Summer camp staff? Several small cottages seen in the background. One woman poses with a baseball bat. Photo #4.
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1945 photo of a group of women, plus one man, assembled at a dining table for a portrait, with an American flag prominently displayed on the wall. Identity of group, venue, and occasion are unknown.
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1949 group indoor photo of a large number of men and women gathered for a portrait. Drop panel ceiling, knotty pine walls and wooden floors seen. Photo #3.
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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.
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Ca. 1947 photo of a restaurant scene, with an elderly foursome (right) offering a toast (milestone anniversary?).
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1953 indoor group portrait photo of men and women in a restaurant. Captains' chairs seen in foreground. Photo #2.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1944 photo of William H. Wills (center), Governor of Vermont (1941-1945) signing a document, as others look on. 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...
Show more1944 photo of William H. Wills (center), Governor of Vermont (1941-1945) signing a document, as others look on. 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. Letters in the background probably spell "President Coolidge." Photo #2.
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1945 photo of a private gathering of men and women (see also mcalB15F16i08), very likely business associates. Venue and occasion unknown.
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Underexposed 1953 group portrait photo of men and women gathered in a restaurant with bold patterned wallpaper and printed curtains. A television has been added as seen in the upper right corner.
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1956 or 1957 indoor Christmas group portrait photo of men and women gathered in a rustic restaurant with knotty pine walls. Overhead hangs a tissue paper bell and pine bows decorate the dining tables as well as candles and a small Santa. Photo #2.
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Slightly blurry ca. 1956 photo taken outside the Waterman building at UVM of a small group of alums at a reunion. See also mcalB19F21i12. 50th or 55th?
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1945 photo of several men and women at a private dinner. Identity of group, venue, and occasion unknown.
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1937 indoor photo of a large group of men and women dining. Monogram initials overhead. Same distinctive location with decorative lattice work as seen in mcalB15F12i04
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Different view of mcalB15F16i10, with Christmas dinner being held possibly in Southwick Hall Ballroom at UVM. Sailors in uniform can be seen at table on left. Occasion unknown.
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Undated group portrait photo of men and women formally dressed with corsages of various ages gathered in a club or public space. A jute box and piano in background on a stage. An American and other flag also seen. Nursery school images of baby animals attached to back wall. Photo 3.
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1951 or 1952 photo of a group of men and women gathered at a rustic restaurant. Candles, greenery and pine cones decorate the tables. The women wear what may be Christmas corsages. Photo #3.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1953 indoor group portrait photo of several men and women gathered at a restaurant. Captain's chairs seen in foreground. Photo #3.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1945 photo of a large group of men and women assembled within what appears to be a small stage. The group dynamic suggests that they are co-workers in a business, possibly with spouses present. Identity of group, venue, and occasion are unknown.