Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > July 2005 > 2005.07.29 > 02Prev  Next


World's Mightiest Outdoor Wurlitzer Player Organ
By Robbie Rhodes

On February 18, 1925, the Wurlitzer factory shipped it's 4/17 "Opus
998" Concert Organ in 12 freight cars to Gardena, California.  An old
Wurlitzer publicity photo shows a freight train and a big sign that
proclaims, "This train transporting the World's Mightiest Pipe Organ
-- the Wurlitzer for Roosevelt Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California."

A music roll playing system was installed so that, when a live organist
was not available, the organ could still be heard for funerals and
services.  When a funeral procession arrived at the gates of the cemetery,
the roll was started and provided music until the family arrived at the
gravesite.  The roll was again started after the service and music was
heard until the people exited the park.

A 30-horsepower blower provides 50" WG pressure for the organ, the
highest wind pressure of any Wurlitzer built.  It was designed to be
heard throughout the cemetery and more -- and it was!  Before the area
was heavily built up the organ could be heard a distance of five miles
away.

The not-for-profit cemetery is interested in restoring or rebuilding
the organ but they don't have the funds and are considering the
destruction of the organ and organ building to make room for mausoleum
space.  MMDer Kyle B. Irwin, who serves as organist and organ curator,
has helped the cemetery to establish an Organ Fund to receive donations
toward the organs preservation and restoration.  For more information
visit Kyle's web site at http://members.aol.com/theorganst/Page1.html 

Robbie Rhodes
Etiwanda, Calif.


Key Words in Subject:  Mightiest, Organ, Outdoor, Player, World's, Wurlitzer

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page