Empress Theatre - 2/11 Kimball
Anchorage, Alaska
4th Ave near G St.
 
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Entrance to the Empress Theatre, c.1910's
 

4th Avenue, Empress Theatre on right, c.1910's
 

c.1910's
 

c.1920's
 

c.1920's
 

c.1920's
 
The Empress Theatre was built by August Eugene "Cap" Lathrop and opened July, 1916. A 2/11 Kimball was installed in 1917.
 

Empress Theatre Auditorium. Console visible in orchestra pit.
 
In the picture, note the unenclosed percussions mounted on the outside of the organ chamber grills. Similar Kimball unit organs were also installed in the Empress Theatres in Cordova and Fairbanks.
 
According to organist Jim Orcutt, the Kimball was unique in that in addition to the usual chamber locations to the left and right of the proscenium, there was also an under-stage chamber containing the Tuba, Tibia and Kinura. According to Jim, "These ranks would practically blow the organist off the bench." The console was a two-manual straight rail type with rolltop.
 
The organ was later moved to a unspecified university auditorium.
 

Postcard view of 4th Avenue, Empress Theatre on right, date unknown
 

c.1940's
 

c.1940's
 
The theater operated into the 1950's. It is now a bank.
 

4th Avenue, Empress Theatre on right, date unknown