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American (Beck's) Theatre - 2/9 Robert Morton
Bellingham, Washington
1310 Cornwall (earlier name: Dock Street) between Holly and Magnolia
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American Theatre Robert Morton organ, c.1920. Chester Walton on left. Identity of individual on right is unknown. Photo courtesy Jeff Fox.
According to facts provided by the Whatcom Museum of History & Art, Beck's Theatre was built by Jacob Beck, a German immigrant and Whatcom area developer. The theater was designed in Louis XIV style and built of Chuckanut sandstone at a cost of $150,000. Total seating capacity was 2,200. Opening night was December 13, 1902 and the comic opera "Foxy Quiller" was presented.
More information is available on the Whatcom Museum of History & Art web site: http://www.whatcommuseum.org/pages/archives/becks.htm
The theatre operated as "Beck's" from 1902-1915. Photo, c.1902-1906
c.1906
Theatre program, Dec. 18, 1910 |
June 14, 1911 |
Jacob Beck died in 1914, and in 1915, the upper balcony was removed and replaced with a film projection booth. The theatre was renamed the American.
The American Theatre had two different theatre organs:
In 1915, a 2/7 Wurlitzer, Style 3 (opus 69)
In 1919, a 2/9 Robert Morton
American Theatre, c.1921. Photo by J. W. Sandison, courtesy Whatcom Museum of History & Art
The Eternal Flame, 1922 |
Theatre lobby, date unknown |
The Storm, 1922 |
The Traveling Salesman, 1921 |
Photos by J. W. Sandison, courtesy Whatcom Museum of History & Art.
Looking North on Cornwall Ave. American Theatre on left, c.1940s
c.1940s
The Balcom & Vaughan opus lists indicates that Wurlitzer opus 69 went to Larry Langevin of Yakima in the 1950's. Its history immediately after the theatre is unknown.
Postcard ad for Beck's Theatre, 1911 |
The Morton organ went to storage. Some ranks such as the Muted Horn were taken but the great majority of the instrument went to a Lutheran church in Sedro Woolley where it remained until about 1976. It was later sold to Bill Carson and eventually split up for parts. The 5HP blower is now owned by Russ & Jo Ann Evans of Kenmore, Washington. |
The American Theatre was eventually sold by the Beck family for a price barely more than the original cost. According to Jeff Fox, the building was demolished in the Spring of 1959 to make way for J.C. Penney and Woolworth stores.
A glimpse of the American Theatre on right, c.1960s
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