Liberty (Fox) Theatre - 2/8 Wurlitzer, Style F "Special"
Astoria, Oregon
1203 Commercial St.
Organ installation timeframe: 1924 - 1930
 
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Opening night, 1925. Photo courtesy: THE COMPLEAT PHOTOGRAPHER
 
The Liberty Theatre opened in 1925. A Style F "Special" Wurlitzer, opus 949, was shipped from the factory in November 1924. The "Special" designation was due to the addition of a marimba and piano.
 

In 1930, the organ was removed and sold to the Mayan Theatre in Denver, Colorado. This disagrees with the Judd Walton opus lists which indicate 1926 as the removal date.   <--- The inscription here was found on the empty organ chamber wall during a recent rennovation of the theatre. It is 2-3 feet long, written with heavy black pencil. Photo courtesy Larry Bryant.

 

c.1925
 

Commercial Street, c.1930
 

Commercial Street, c.1930s
 

Commercial Street, c.1940s. Liberty Theatre on left.
 

c.1946
 

Commercial Street, c.1953. Liberty Theatre on right.
 
In 1945, the organ was sold to R.C. & Edith Maddy of Denver. It was removed from the Mayan Theatre over the course of three years and eventually installed in their home.
 

Edith Maddy with the console

R.C. in the chamber

 
In the mid-1930's, another Wurlitzer was installed at the Liberty Theatre. It was the 2/4 Style B from the Astoria Theatre. It remained there until 1954 when it was purchased by Bill Blunk.