Note: Not extant. Not playable. (in this location)
2009-03-03 - Identified through online information from Richard C Greene. -- The theater and organ are no longer extant. We have no further information at this point. [NB -- Kinzey-Lawn indicates this opus number built for Welte in Poughkeepsie, New York.] -Database Manager
2020-07-05 - We believe there may have been a spelling error in the name of the theater, going all the way back to Skinner. There is not and never has been a "Gordon" theater in Minneapolis. However, to great fanfare, a "Garden" theater of some 3128 seats was built around 1912 in Minneapolis. An article in the Minneapolis newspaper on May 11, 1913 describes the hall and the fact that it will have a great organ WITH AN ECHO. We believe this to be the theater. The article can be found at the Minnesota Historical Society newspaper archives in a search for "Garden Theater" and "organ". -David Engen
2020-07-22 - Updated through an email received from Jayson Rodovsky Engquist on July 22, 2020. -- Skinner records (and OHS) both list a Skinner (built 1912) with Op. 199 (and TWO instruments listed with it) for a Gordon Theatre. We discovered the theater is actually the GARDEN THEATER in downtown Minneapolis (corner of Hennepin Ave. and N. 7th St.). It was first shipped from Skinner to Welte (in Poughkeepsie) where a player-mechanism was probably added. When the instrument arrived in Minneapolis (with two consoles), it was installed in two locations. The "under balcony Echo division" of about 6 ranks also spoke into lobby AND had its own 2-man console for patrons as they arrived. The 3-man console (controlling 36 ranks up front and the Echo in back) was up in orchestra pit up front. Theater was built in 1905 (as the Milo). Renamed in 1912 (when it was renovated and organ came), the Garden, it was in this location for many years. The theater changed names once more (circa 1950) to the World Theater. The fate of the Skinner is unknown. The theater was (unfortunately) razed in about 2000. Perhaps the organ went with it! -Jim Stettner
Stoplist from OHS Archives, via Jonathan Bowen Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Gordon Theatre
The Ernest M. Skinner Co. Opus 199 1912 3 manuals, 35 stops, 36 ranks
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GREAT ORGAN SWELL ORGAN
16' Bourdon 61 16' Bourdon 61
8' First Diapason 61 8' Diapason 61
8' Second Diapason 61 8' Gedackt 61
8' Philomela 61 8' Claribel Flute 61
8' Wald Flute 61 8' Salicional 61
8' Erzähler 61 8' Voix Celestes 61
8' Gedackt SW 8' Dulciana 61
4' Flute SW 8' Unda Maris (TC) 49
8' Cornopean SW 4' Octave 61
4' Flauto Traverso 61
CHOIR ORGAN 2' Piccolo 61
16' Contra Gamba 61 16' Contra Posaune 61
8' Geigen Principal 61 8' Cornopean 61
8' Concert Flute 61 8' Flügel Horn 61
8' Dulcet II 122 8' Vox Humana 61
4' Flute 61 Tremolo
8' Orchestral Oboe 61
8' Clarinet 61 PEDAL ORGAN
8' French Horn 61 16' Diapason 32
Tremolo 16' First Bourdon GT
Celesta 16' Second Bourdon SW
16' Gamba CH
ECHO ORGAN 8' Gedackt 12
8' Diapason 61 8' Still Gedeckt SW
8' Claribel Flute 61 16' Contra Posaune SW
8' Quintadena 61
4' Flute 61
8' Vox Humana 61
Tremolo
Cathedral Chimes 25 tubes
Xylophone
[Received from Steven E. Lawson 2016-07-09]
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