Imperial Rink - 3/18 Wurlitzer - Wood Portland, Oregon S.E. Union Organ Installation timeframe: 1930's-1970's

Cecil Teague, c. 1940's

The Imperial Roller Rink originally had a 2/5 William Wood theatre organ. The Wood company later added three Gottfried ranks (Clarinet, English Horn, Kinura) and Sleigh Bells making it a 2/8.   Between 1935 and 1941, Balcom & Vaughan added to the organ and installed a three-manual console which was rebuilt from a Wurlitzer two-manual.   <---- Here, Portland organist Cecil Teague is shown at the three-manual console.

In 1955, a 3/10 Wurlitzer from Portland's Hollywood Theatre was moved to the Imperial Rink and combined with the existing Wood instrument.   As was typical for skating rink installations, all pipes, windchests, percussions and traps were located in the rafters above the skating floor.

Wurlitzer Style H console, c. 1960's

 

Imperial Rink as seen during the 1966 ATOE National Meeting
 

Dennis Hedberg in the loft

Imperial Rink pipework

 
The late Jerry Jorgensen was organist at the rink for many years.
 
The organ was eventually removed to storage. It was owned for a time by the McDonalds restaurant chain. In the late 1970's the instrument was purchased by Dr. & Mrs. John Dapolito of San Diego, California. As of 2000, it is still installed and playing in their home.
 
An assortment of rink stickers, c.1940's
 

Rhapsody on Rollers program, c. 1967

About this site

© PSTOS, 1998-2004