1926-09-01 - Console (Photograph from the Opening Night Program; image courtesy of Eric Schmiedeberg/Database Manager)
Note: Not extant. Not playable. (in this location)
2007-11-10 - Identified through online information from James R. Stettner. -- This was a "3M Special" Organ moved 9/25/41 to the Civic Ice Arena in Seattle by Balcom and Vaughan. 1964-65, relocated to the Seattle Center Food Circus by Glenn White where it served for 11 years - being reinstalled in a lower mezzanine by Balcom and Vaughan in 1970. May 4, 1978 the organ was made available at auction via sealed bid. Owned and resold by 3 people but never installed before finally being purchased by Jay Palmer for his Lynnwood, WA home and enlarged to 3/18. -Database Manager
2015-10-11 - Updated through online information from Eric Schmiedeberg. -- Organ's pipework and relay were installed in Solo and Main chambers over the proscenium arch speaking through seven grilles distributed across the proscenium sound board. Tonal egress was direct and "line of sight" into the balcony.<br><br>An upright piano playable from the organ was located with its back facing the double-rail console in the orchestra pit. The piano was lost when the organ was removed to the Municipal Ice Arena in Seattle. This organ was one of at least seven Wurlitzer Unit Orchestras designed by Portland theatre organist Glenn Shelley for use in Oregon theatres.<br><br>This information comes by way of personal experience with the theatre building, interviews with Glenn Shelley and organ and theatre historian Steve Levin of the Theatre Historical Society, William "Bill" Bunch of Balcom and Vaughn--Seattle and newspaper articles from 1926 editions of the Salem STATESMAN newspaper microfilms.<br><br>The stoplist of this organ was obtained through Bill Bunch who recorded the specifications for the organ from the switch stack and effects ("toy counter") of the intrument. -Database Manager
2015-10-26 - Updated through online information from Eric Schmiedeberg. -Database Manager
2015-10-26 - Updated through online information from Eric Schmiedeberg. -Database Manager
2015-10-26 - Updated through online information from Eric Schmiedeberg. -Database Manager
2018-07-10 - Information from <i>The Wurlitzer Pipe Organ – An Illustrated History</i> by David L. Junchen (comp. & ed. Jeff Weiler). The American Theatre Organ Society, 2005.<br> Wurlitzer Style Sp 3m<br> Factory date: June 23, 1926<br> -Database Manager
2019-02-15 - Updated by Eric Schmiedeberg, naming this as the source of information: <i>Statesman</i> newspaper, \"Bligh\'s Capitol Opens Tonight\"--October 5, 1926. <br> <br>This organ was debuted by Samuel Phelps Totten who came directly from his post at the Liberty Theatre in Olympia, Washington. -Database Manager
William Bunch--Balcom and Vaughan--Seattle--From switches and effects machine--1988 Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded
Salem, OR
Bligh's Capitol Theatre
Rudolph Wurlitzer Manufacturing Company Opus 1427, 1926--As built
PEDAL ACCOMPANIMENT GREAT
16' Bass (Diaphone) 16' Contra Viol TC 16' Bass
16' Bourdon 16' Bourdon 16' Tibia Clausa TC
8' Tuba Horn 16' Vox Humana TC 16' Bourdon
8' Open Diapason 8' Tuba Horn 8' Tuba Horn (10" wp)
8' Tibia Clausa 8' Open Diapason 8' Open Diapason
8' Cello (Violin) 8' Tibia Clausa 8' Tibia Clausa
8' Flute 8' Krumet 8' Krumet
16' Piano 8' Violin 8' Violin
Bass Drum 8' Violin Celeste 8' Violin Celeste
Kettle Drum 8' Flute 8' Flute
Crash Cymbal 8' Vox Humana 8' Vox Humana
Cymbal 4' Clarion 4' Octave (Diapason)
4' Piccolo 4' Piccolo (Tibia)
SOLO 4' Viol 4' Viol
4' Octave Celeste 4' Octave Celeste
16' Bourdon 4' Flute 4' Flute
16' Vox Humana tc 4' Vox Humana 2-2/3' Twelfth (Flute)
8' Tuba Horn 2-2/3' Twelfth (Flute) 2' Piccolo (Flute)
8' Open Diapason 2' Piccolo (Flute) 1 3/5' Tierce (Flute)
8' Tibia Clausa 16' Piano Marimba (Re-It Harp)
8' Krumet 8' Piano Harp
8' Violin 4' Piano Xylophone
8' Violin Celeste Mandolin Glockenspiel
8' Flute Marimba Cathedral Chimes
8' Vox Humana Harp Chrysoglott
4' Octave Chrysoglott
4' Piccolo Snare Drum
Marimba Tambourine
Harp Castanets
Xylophone Chinese Block
Glockenspiel
Cathedral Chimes
BACK RAIL MAIN CHAMBER--10" wp
ACCOMPANIMENT SECOND TOUCHES 16' Open Diapason 85 pipes
16' Flute 97 pipes
8' Tuba Horn 8' Violin 73 pipes
8' Tibia Clausa 8' Violin Celeste 61 pipes
Cathedral Chimes Chrysoglott 49 N.
Triangle Relays and Two Switch Boards
(Relay/Sw;s/Chrys.--12" 2p)
GREAT SECOND TOUCHES
SOLO CHAMBER--10" wp unless noted
16' Bass
8' Tuba Horn 8' Vox Humana 61 pipes 6" wp
8' Krumet 8' Tibia Clausa 73 pipes
8' Tibia Clausa 8' Tuba Horn 73 pipes
8' Krumet 61 pipes
TREMULANT Marimba/Harp 49 N.
Xylophone 37 N.
Main Glockenspiel 30 N.
Solo Cathedral Chimes 25 N.
Vox Traps
Effects (7 toe studs):
Bird
Train Whistle
Horse's Hooves
Fire Gong (reiterating)
Klaxon (Auto Horn)
Steamboat Whistle
Siren
RIGHT ACCOMPANIMENT MANUAL CHEEK: Door Bell
IN ORCHESTRA PIT--Upright Piano--85N. of 88
(Piano fitted 2/second magnet set for loud Piano triggered by General Swell Pedal)
SWELLS
Main, Solo, General--Fitted w/Piano sustain button, Crescendo
COMBINATION ACTION--3 Toe Studs--Pedal, 5 Pistons per manual--divisionals
BLOWER: 5 Horsepower Spencer Turbine
[Received from William Bunch--Balcom and Vaughan--Seattle via Eric Schmiedeberg 2015-10-13.]Regrettably, it is not possible to display the information about the sponsor of this pipeorgandatabase entry or if there is a sponsor. Please see About Sponsors on Pipe Organ Database.