Empire Theatre - 2/4 Wurlitzer, Style B
Anacortes, Washington
Commercial St.
 
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Downtown Anacortes, Empire Theatre on left, c.1950's
 

Empire Theatre on left, c.1950's
 

Empire Theatre on right, c.1940's
 
The Empire organ was originally installed in the Egyptian Theatre, Maywood California in 1925. It was Wurlitzer opus 1022, a Style B. The organ was moved in 1937 to the Empire Theatre in Anacortes, Washington by Balcom & Vaughan. The instrument was later removed from the Empire and installed in Finlay's Mortuary in Portland, Oregon.
 
In 1961, Balcom & Vaughan installed the organ in the Seattle home of Stan Smith.
 
The instrument is now owned by Russ & Jo Ann Evans of Kenmore, Washington. The original Style B chests and pipework serve as part of a larger 3/17 instrument installed in their home. The original two-manual console was sold.
 
The Empire Theatre building still exists. It is presently occupied by the Burton Jewelry store and other tenants.
 

Empire Theatre building, c.2000 

The building has been modified since the 1920's. The original roof cornice and sidewalk awnings have been removed and the windows replaced.   It is also possible that windows were added to the fly loft when it was converted for other uses, but this cannot be confirmed.