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 - Unidentified Groups
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A large group of young people along with a few older adults gather at a rustic restaurant(?) for a special meal or event. Dated 1949 or 1950.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1951 or 1952 portrait photo of young people with several adults gathered at a rustic restaurant. Knotty pine walls, wooden log chandelier. Photo #1.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1947 photo of Sigma Nu fraternity at 57 So. Williams St., Burlington, Vt. (compare with mcalB19F31i04).
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1945 photo of 20 women, 3 men, at a social gathering. Identity of the group, venue, or occasion unknown.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1953 group portrait photo of young people and several adults gathered in a rustic restaurant with knotty pine walls and wooden log chandelier overhead. See mcalB16F07i05 for another exposure of same group. Photo #1.
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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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1935 or 1936 indoor photo of a group of young people seated in wooden chairs. They turn to look at the photographer. In the background is another group of people holding or wearing large numbers. Clearly seen in center is "Friday 13".
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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Ca. 1947 photo of Sigma Nu fraternity at 57 So. Williams St., Burlington, Vt. (compare with mcalB19F31i04).
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1958 photo of group of young people and a few adults gathered at a rustic interior restaurant. Photo #1.
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- Portraits - Unidentified Groups
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1953 photo of young people with several adults gathered in a rustic restaurant. Overhead hangs a wooden log chandelier. See mcalB16F07i05 for another exposure of same group. Photo #3.
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- UVM - Fraternities - Sigma Nu
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Ca. 1947 photo of Sigma Nu fraternity at 57 So. Williams St., Burlington, Vt. (compare with mcalB19F31i04). There seems to be a tradition of including the house dog(s) in the picture.