Louis L. McAllister Photographs

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). 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

Showing 101 - 105 of 105 Records

Black Cat Cafe
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    • Date Created: 1935/1937
    • Description: 1935/37 Black Cat Cafe & Sea Grill at 160 Bank St, Burlington, Vermont. Interior photo. Employees and management stand for a group photo. Charles Chantis, proprietor. The restaurant burned in the 1970s along with the rest of the block.
    • Parent Collections: Louis L. McAllister Photographs


    Black Cat Cafe
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      • Description: Black Cat Cafe & Sea Grill at 160 Bank St, Burlington, Vermont. Photo No. 3. Employees and management assemble for a group photo outside in front. Charles Chantis, proprietor. The restaurant burned in the 1970s along with the rest of the block. Dated 1937.
      • Parent Collections: Louis L. McAllister Photographs


      Black Cat Cafe
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        • Date Created: 1935/1937
        • Description: 1935/37 Black Cat Cafe & Sea Grill at 160 Bank St, Burlington, Vermont. Employees and management assemble outside in front for a group photo. Photo #3. Charles Chantis, proprietor. The restaurant burned in the 1970s along with the State Theatre and the rest of the block. Photo #3.
        • Parent Collections: Louis L. McAllister Photographs


        Black Cat Cafe
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          • Date Created: 1935/1937
          • Description: 1935/37 Black Cat Cafe & Sea Grill at 160 Bank St, Burlington, Vermont. Interior photo showing staff and management personnel along with booths, several padded chairs, coat rack and stairs in the back leading upstairs. Charles Chantis, proprietor. The restaurant burned in the 1970s along with the rest of the block. Photo #1.
          • Parent Collections: Louis L. McAllister Photographs


          Black Cat Cafe
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            • Description: Five musicians stand near a small raised stage in the upper room at the Black Cat Cafe & Sea Grill once located at 160 Bank Street in Burlington, Vt. The iconic black cat symbol is seen in the center. Some of the names (of the performers?) can be seen; John and Jack.
            • Parent Collections: Louis L. McAllister Photographs