According to “The Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ” by David Junchen, pg. 631, the “Home Theatre” in Portage, Wisconsin, had a two-manual Smith theatre pipe organ installed at some point.
Other than the state, town, and theatre name, and # of manuals, no other details are given in the book.
However, given what I know so far about the Smith firm in its various permutations:
If this organ was installed through about 1916, it was likely a Smith organ made in upstate New York.
If it was installed between about 1917 and early 1921, it was likely Seeburg-Smith organ made in Chicago in the Seeburg factory under Smith’s supervision.
If it was installed between late 1921 and early 1924, it was likely a Smith organ made in Chicago in Smith’s own factory.
Finally, if the organ was installed between late 1924, and the end of the 1920s (c. 1927) it was likely a Leathurby-Smith organ made in Alameda, California. However, the latter is quite unlikely, since I’m not aware of any Leathurby-Smith organs sold outside of the West Coast states (California, Oregon, and Washington).
If anybody knows any more info about this organ, or the theatre itself, that would be great!
Is/was this the same as the Grand Colonial Theatre?
The book “The Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ” by David Junchen, lists a Seeburg-Smith theatre pipe organ having been installed in a “Grand Colonial Th.” in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 1917.
The size of the organ (# of manuals, # of ranks) is not given in the book, but here is the info on the blower:
serial F317, 1 horsepower, supplying 10" of static air pressure.
Does anybody know what happened to this theatre/building and/or organ? Thanks!
Dear LouRougani, thanks so much for the info about this theatre and organ! Glad to know the building is still standing and used for something.
According to the “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ” by David Junchen, pg. 631, the “Butterfly Theatre” in Kenosha, Wisconsin, had a Smith theatre pipe organ installed in 1923. This organ’s size (# of manuals and # of ranks of pipes) is not given in the book (probably not known at time of publication), but the blower serial number was/is L836, and it was a 1 horsepower blower supplying 10" of static wind pressure.
Thanks for letting me know it’s a two-manual organ.
The organ may have been in the B'nai Brith Temple in Library Park in 2005, but is it still there today? (2014). Is it playable? How many ranks? I’d love to know, and perhaps I should contact them directly.
I’m an organ enthusiast working on a historical/information webpage on Smith theatre pipe organs (Smith, Seeburg-Smith, Leathurby-Smith, and Smith-Geneva). Info about this organ will help me out with the census/opus list. Thanks a lot!
I hope this theatre is bought and saved!
Time for someone to win the lottery.
Does anyone have any info on the “Venango Theatre” located in Oil City? Thanks!
A mention of both the Drake and the Venango can be found in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Sep 14, 1927 (pg. 26, lower right). It states that the Venango had 800 seats.
According to the “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ”, pg. 631, the “Majestic Theatre” in Rochester, Pennsylvania, had a Seeburg-Smith theatre pipe organ installed in 1920.
The size of the organ (# of manuals/# of ranks) is not given in the book (not known), but they do have info on the blower, which was/is serial #H637, and was 1 and ½ horsepower, with an output of 10" of static wind pressure. Again, this was a Seeburg-Smith organ, meaning it was built in part of the Seeburg piano and orchestrion factory in Chicago under Smith’s supervision, during the time of the Seeburg-Smith partnership.
I’d love to know more about this theatre and/or organ, and if either exist today!
According to the “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ” by David Junchen, pg. 631, the “Main Theatre” in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania, had a Smith theatre pipe organ installed at some point.
No other details were known/printed at the time of publication, such as size of the organ, year of installation, and blower info.
If anybody knows more about this theatre and/or organ, please post here!
I wonder… could that be the original theatre building in the Google Maps street view, or has it been torn down?
Mr. Ware, was there a “Pasco Theatre” in Somerset, Pennsylvania at any time?
The book “The Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ”, pg. 631, lists a Smith theatre pipe organ as having been installed at a “Pasco Theatre” in Somerset at some point, with no other details known at the time of publication (such as size of the organ, year of installation, blower info, etc.).
If anybody knows more about this theatre and/or organ, I’d love to know, thanks!
I’m also not yet sure what organ was installed in the Casino here.
The above comments suggest that it might have been a photoplayer of some kind, if the orchestra pit was large enough, and the instrument was located in the pit.
How do I create a new theatre listing on here? According to a listing here in the “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ” (pg. 631), there was an “Iris Theatre” in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, with a two-manual Smith theatre organ installed at some point.
No other details are given in the listing (such as # of ranks of the organ, date, or any blower info etc).
As this is the only old theatre I can find currently listed for the town/city of Vandergrift, I’m putting this here for right now. I know nothing else about the Iris, but if I had a little more free time might do research on it.
According to “The Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ” by David Junchen, pg. 630, the “Palm Theatre” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, had a Seeburg-Smith theatre pipe organ installed in 1918.
The instrument’s size (# of manuals and # of ranks) is not listed in the book, meaning it was not known at the time of publication.
However, the organ had a blower, number F447, which was 1 and ½ horsepower and put out 10" of static wind pressure, and again, the organ had the Seeburg-Smith nameplate, meaning it was built in the Seeburg factory in Chicago, under Smith’s supervision.
Does anybody know what happened to this organ, or where it is today? Thanks!
Thanks for all of the info on this theatre. It looks like it was a nice building, a shame it got pulled down, but that’s the way it goes. Thanks for the interior and exterior photos, too, they ought to be added to this page with the permission of Temple University Libraries.
According to the “Encyclopdia of the American Theatre Organ” by Dave Junchen, pg. 631, the Shiloh Theatre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, had a two manual Smith theatre pipe organ installed in 1916.
The number of pipe ranks in the organ is not given in the book (unknown at publication) but two-manual Smith organs typically had between four and nine ranks. This was a small house so probably between four and six ranks is my guess (but I could be wrong).
Also according to the entry in this book, the organ was equipped with a blower, number E143, with a 1 HP motor, putting out 10" static wind pressure.
Does anybody know what happened to this organ?
Also, are there any photos of the inside of the theatre before (or after) it was remodeled? Thanks a lot! Glad to see the building is still standing and looks well-maintained!
What is the building in the current (2014-09-22) Google Map view that looks almost like a theatre building, with a Starbucks Coffee and Quest Diagnostics in it? Why does it appear to have a marquee hanging off of the front of the building? Just curious!
According to the “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ” by David Junchen, pg. 631, a Smith theatre pipe organ was installed in the Metropolitan Theatre in Pittsburgh at some point.
No details are given for the organ, such as size, year, blower info, etc. so they were unknown at the time the book was published.
Does anybody know what happened to this organ or have more information about it? Thanks!
Will Dunklin, apparently the Alcazar (Empire?) Theatre had a 2 manual, 7 rank Kilgen organ installed in 1919. This info is from the TheatreOrgans.com database.
I have no idea what became of this organ and its opus number is unknown. Any other info is appreciated!
For future historical reference, here is the detailed description of the organ and stoplist on the Organ Historical Society database, complete with a couple of photos: http://database.organsociety.org/SingleOrganDetails.php?OrganID=24862
As of June 24th, 2014, the original Kimball theatre organ from this theatre has been listed for sale on eBay, located in Anacortes, Washington. It is a 2 manual, 5 rank Kimball, opus 6826, from 1925. I hope someone buys this organ, it appears complete except for the toy counter, and would make someone a very nice little home pipe organ. I have no connection with the seller whatsoever: http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPLETE-PIPE-ORGAN-W-W-Kimball-Co-Opus-6826-1925-/121371359349
What a cool-looking building, I’m glad it’s still standing and being used for something!
According to David Junchen’s “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ”, pg. 144, the Ambassador (Rockne) Theatre in Chicago originally had a 4 manual, 14 rank Geneva theatre pipe organ installed in 1925. The serial # of the organ’s blower was 17083. According to the Geneva chapter of the aforementioned book, this was one of the firm’s “show” organs and had what may have been the only 4-manual console built by the firm.
According to pg. 142 of the same book, the four-manual console from this organ was in daily use at the Elm Skating Club “as of 1983”. It turns out that through a few unfortunate events, the rink closed in the late 1980s and was torn down shortly thereafter. I do hope the console (and/or the rest of the organ, or parts of it) still exist somewhere today.
Does anybody know any more about this organ?
I’m researching it for the Geneva Organs history page on my upcoming website.
According to David Junchen’s “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Pipe Organ”, pg. 144, the Tivoli Theatre in Aurora, Illinois originally had a 3 manual, 12 rank Geneva theatre pipe organ installed at some point (year not known or not given in the book). Does anybody know what happened to this organ and where it is today? Thanks!!!
According to David Junchen’s “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Pipe Organ” pg. 144, the State Theatre in Hartford, Connecticut originally had a Geneva theatre pipe organ, size not known or not given in the book, installed in 1926. The serial # of the organ’s blower was 19551. Does anybody know what happened to this organ and where it is today? Thanks!
Hello,
KenRoe, according to “The Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Pipe Organ” by David Junchen, pg. 144, the Roseville Theatre originally had a 2 manual, 8 rank Geneva theatre pipe organ, installed in 1926.
As a Smith and Geneva organ enthusiast, I’d sure love to know where this organ is today, especially seeing as that its beautiful theatre is still open!
Is this the “Allen Theatre” in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in which a Hillgreen-Lane theatre pipe organ, opus 479, was installed in 1917?
I am trying to track down this instrument and its history, or at least find a few photos of it and/or a stoplist. Opus 479 was/is a two-manual, 21-rank instrument which was shipped from the Hillgreen-Lane factory in 1917 at a cost of $3,225. It featured a 3-horsepower blower, serial #8256.
Could this organ, or parts of it, be playing in a church, residence, or meeting hall somewhere today? Or has the entire organ long since been destroyed? Does anyone know?
The above information comes courtesy of Mr. David Junchen’s “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Pipe Organ”, pages 166 and 167.
I believe this organ is probably the sister organ to opus 478, a 2-manual, 20-rank instrument, some of which (apparently) went down with the destruction of its original home, the Liberty Theatre in Youngstown, Ohio, in 2013.
I was apparently too late to save opus 478 but it may not be too late for me to save opus 479, if it still exists.
According to Mr. David Junchen’s “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Pipe Organ”, pgs. 165 and 167, the Adams theatre had a 3 manual, 28 rank Hillgreen-Lane theatre pipe organ (opus 518) installed in 1918, at a cost of $5,400. This organ had a 5 horsepower blower, serial #9354. Does anyone know where this organ, or its parts, are located today, or what happened to it?
According to “The Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ” by David L. Junchen, pg. 628, there was a Smith theatre pipe organ installed at the Verdi (World) Theatre in San Francisco at some point. No date or other information on the installation is given.
Does anyone know what became of this organ? Thanks!
According to “The Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ” by David Junchen, pg. 631, the “Home Theatre” in Portage, Wisconsin, had a two-manual Smith theatre pipe organ installed at some point.
Other than the state, town, and theatre name, and # of manuals, no other details are given in the book.
However, given what I know so far about the Smith firm in its various permutations:
If this organ was installed through about 1916, it was likely a Smith organ made in upstate New York.
If it was installed between about 1917 and early 1921, it was likely Seeburg-Smith organ made in Chicago in the Seeburg factory under Smith’s supervision.
If it was installed between late 1921 and early 1924, it was likely a Smith organ made in Chicago in Smith’s own factory.
Finally, if the organ was installed between late 1924, and the end of the 1920s (c. 1927) it was likely a Leathurby-Smith organ made in Alameda, California. However, the latter is quite unlikely, since I’m not aware of any Leathurby-Smith organs sold outside of the West Coast states (California, Oregon, and Washington).
If anybody knows any more info about this organ, or the theatre itself, that would be great!
Is/was this the same as the Grand Colonial Theatre?
The book “The Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ” by David Junchen, lists a Seeburg-Smith theatre pipe organ having been installed in a “Grand Colonial Th.” in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 1917.
The size of the organ (# of manuals, # of ranks) is not given in the book, but here is the info on the blower: serial F317, 1 horsepower, supplying 10" of static air pressure.
Does anybody know what happened to this theatre/building and/or organ? Thanks!
Dear LouRougani,
thanks so much for the info about this theatre and organ! Glad to know the building is still standing and used for something.
According to the “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ” by David Junchen, pg. 631, the “Butterfly Theatre” in Kenosha, Wisconsin, had a Smith theatre pipe organ installed in 1923. This organ’s size (# of manuals and # of ranks of pipes) is not given in the book (probably not known at time of publication), but the blower serial number was/is L836, and it was a 1 horsepower blower supplying 10" of static wind pressure.
Thanks for letting me know it’s a two-manual organ.
The organ may have been in the B'nai Brith Temple in Library Park in 2005, but is it still there today? (2014). Is it playable? How many ranks? I’d love to know, and perhaps I should contact them directly.
I’m an organ enthusiast working on a historical/information webpage on Smith theatre pipe organs (Smith, Seeburg-Smith, Leathurby-Smith, and Smith-Geneva). Info about this organ will help me out with the census/opus list. Thanks a lot!
I hope this theatre is bought and saved! Time for someone to win the lottery.
Does anyone have any info on the “Venango Theatre” located in Oil City? Thanks!
A mention of both the Drake and the Venango can be found in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Sep 14, 1927 (pg. 26, lower right). It states that the Venango had 800 seats.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19270914&id=71pRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=52gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5068,1734847
I also hope this theatre/ballroom/venue is doing well, and if I’m ever visiting that part of Pennsylvania, I’ll be sure to come check it out!
Thanks to whomever created this page!
According to the “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ”, pg. 631, the “Majestic Theatre” in Rochester, Pennsylvania, had a Seeburg-Smith theatre pipe organ installed in 1920.
The size of the organ (# of manuals/# of ranks) is not given in the book (not known), but they do have info on the blower, which was/is serial #H637, and was 1 and ½ horsepower, with an output of 10" of static wind pressure. Again, this was a Seeburg-Smith organ, meaning it was built in part of the Seeburg piano and orchestrion factory in Chicago under Smith’s supervision, during the time of the Seeburg-Smith partnership.
I’d love to know more about this theatre and/or organ, and if either exist today!
Thanks to whomever created this page!
According to the “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ” by David Junchen, pg. 631, the “Main Theatre” in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania, had a Smith theatre pipe organ installed at some point.
No other details were known/printed at the time of publication, such as size of the organ, year of installation, and blower info.
If anybody knows more about this theatre and/or organ, please post here!
I wonder… could that be the original theatre building in the Google Maps street view, or has it been torn down?
Mr. Ware, was there a “Pasco Theatre” in Somerset, Pennsylvania at any time?
The book “The Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ”, pg. 631, lists a Smith theatre pipe organ as having been installed at a “Pasco Theatre” in Somerset at some point, with no other details known at the time of publication (such as size of the organ, year of installation, blower info, etc.).
If anybody knows more about this theatre and/or organ, I’d love to know, thanks!
I’m also not yet sure what organ was installed in the Casino here.
The above comments suggest that it might have been a photoplayer of some kind, if the orchestra pit was large enough, and the instrument was located in the pit.
Anybody have any more info on this? :)
How do I create a new theatre listing on here? According to a listing here in the “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ” (pg. 631), there was an “Iris Theatre” in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, with a two-manual Smith theatre organ installed at some point.
No other details are given in the listing (such as # of ranks of the organ, date, or any blower info etc).
As this is the only old theatre I can find currently listed for the town/city of Vandergrift, I’m putting this here for right now. I know nothing else about the Iris, but if I had a little more free time might do research on it.
According to “The Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ” by David Junchen, pg. 630, the “Palm Theatre” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, had a Seeburg-Smith theatre pipe organ installed in 1918.
The instrument’s size (# of manuals and # of ranks) is not listed in the book, meaning it was not known at the time of publication.
However, the organ had a blower, number F447, which was 1 and ½ horsepower and put out 10" of static wind pressure, and again, the organ had the Seeburg-Smith nameplate, meaning it was built in the Seeburg factory in Chicago, under Smith’s supervision.
Does anybody know what happened to this organ, or where it is today? Thanks!
Thanks for all of the info on this theatre. It looks like it was a nice building, a shame it got pulled down, but that’s the way it goes. Thanks for the interior and exterior photos, too, they ought to be added to this page with the permission of Temple University Libraries.
According to the “Encyclopdia of the American Theatre Organ” by Dave Junchen, pg. 631, the Shiloh Theatre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, had a two manual Smith theatre pipe organ installed in 1916.
The number of pipe ranks in the organ is not given in the book (unknown at publication) but two-manual Smith organs typically had between four and nine ranks. This was a small house so probably between four and six ranks is my guess (but I could be wrong).
Also according to the entry in this book, the organ was equipped with a blower, number E143, with a 1 HP motor, putting out 10" static wind pressure.
Does anybody know what happened to this organ?
Also, are there any photos of the inside of the theatre before (or after) it was remodeled? Thanks a lot! Glad to see the building is still standing and looks well-maintained!
What is the building in the current (2014-09-22) Google Map view that looks almost like a theatre building, with a Starbucks Coffee and Quest Diagnostics in it? Why does it appear to have a marquee hanging off of the front of the building? Just curious!
According to the “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ” by David Junchen, pg. 631, a Smith theatre pipe organ was installed in the Metropolitan Theatre in Pittsburgh at some point.
No details are given for the organ, such as size, year, blower info, etc. so they were unknown at the time the book was published.
Does anybody know what happened to this organ or have more information about it? Thanks!
Will Dunklin, apparently the Alcazar (Empire?) Theatre had a 2 manual, 7 rank Kilgen organ installed in 1919. This info is from the TheatreOrgans.com database.
I have no idea what became of this organ and its opus number is unknown. Any other info is appreciated!
For future historical reference, here is the detailed description of the organ and stoplist on the Organ Historical Society database, complete with a couple of photos: http://database.organsociety.org/SingleOrganDetails.php?OrganID=24862
As of June 24th, 2014, the original Kimball theatre organ from this theatre has been listed for sale on eBay, located in Anacortes, Washington. It is a 2 manual, 5 rank Kimball, opus 6826, from 1925. I hope someone buys this organ, it appears complete except for the toy counter, and would make someone a very nice little home pipe organ. I have no connection with the seller whatsoever: http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPLETE-PIPE-ORGAN-W-W-Kimball-Co-Opus-6826-1925-/121371359349
What a cool-looking building, I’m glad it’s still standing and being used for something!
According to David Junchen’s “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ”, pg. 144, the Ambassador (Rockne) Theatre in Chicago originally had a 4 manual, 14 rank Geneva theatre pipe organ installed in 1925. The serial # of the organ’s blower was 17083. According to the Geneva chapter of the aforementioned book, this was one of the firm’s “show” organs and had what may have been the only 4-manual console built by the firm.
According to pg. 142 of the same book, the four-manual console from this organ was in daily use at the Elm Skating Club “as of 1983”. It turns out that through a few unfortunate events, the rink closed in the late 1980s and was torn down shortly thereafter. I do hope the console (and/or the rest of the organ, or parts of it) still exist somewhere today.
Does anybody know any more about this organ? I’m researching it for the Geneva Organs history page on my upcoming website.
Thanks!
According to David Junchen’s “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Pipe Organ”, pg. 144, the Tivoli Theatre in Aurora, Illinois originally had a 3 manual, 12 rank Geneva theatre pipe organ installed at some point (year not known or not given in the book). Does anybody know what happened to this organ and where it is today? Thanks!!!
According to David Junchen’s “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Pipe Organ” pg. 144, the State Theatre in Hartford, Connecticut originally had a Geneva theatre pipe organ, size not known or not given in the book, installed in 1926. The serial # of the organ’s blower was 19551. Does anybody know what happened to this organ and where it is today? Thanks!
Hello, KenRoe, according to “The Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Pipe Organ” by David Junchen, pg. 144, the Roseville Theatre originally had a 2 manual, 8 rank Geneva theatre pipe organ, installed in 1926.
As a Smith and Geneva organ enthusiast, I’d sure love to know where this organ is today, especially seeing as that its beautiful theatre is still open!
Hi folks,
Is this the “Allen Theatre” in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in which a Hillgreen-Lane theatre pipe organ, opus 479, was installed in 1917?
I am trying to track down this instrument and its history, or at least find a few photos of it and/or a stoplist. Opus 479 was/is a two-manual, 21-rank instrument which was shipped from the Hillgreen-Lane factory in 1917 at a cost of $3,225. It featured a 3-horsepower blower, serial #8256.
Could this organ, or parts of it, be playing in a church, residence, or meeting hall somewhere today? Or has the entire organ long since been destroyed? Does anyone know?
The above information comes courtesy of Mr. David Junchen’s “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Pipe Organ”, pages 166 and 167.
I believe this organ is probably the sister organ to opus 478, a 2-manual, 20-rank instrument, some of which (apparently) went down with the destruction of its original home, the Liberty Theatre in Youngstown, Ohio, in 2013.
I was apparently too late to save opus 478 but it may not be too late for me to save opus 479, if it still exists.
Thanks a lot!
According to Mr. David Junchen’s “Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Pipe Organ”, pgs. 165 and 167, the Adams theatre had a 3 manual, 28 rank Hillgreen-Lane theatre pipe organ (opus 518) installed in 1918, at a cost of $5,400. This organ had a 5 horsepower blower, serial #9354. Does anyone know where this organ, or its parts, are located today, or what happened to it?
According to “The Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ” by David L. Junchen, pg. 628, there was a Smith theatre pipe organ installed at the Verdi (World) Theatre in San Francisco at some point. No date or other information on the installation is given.
Does anyone know what became of this organ?
Thanks!