|
Fox Theatre - 2/10 Wurlitzer - Robert Morton
Centralia, Washington
119 S Tower Ave
Organ installation timeframe: 1930 - 1969
Back to the Washington Original Theatre Installations page
Eddie Zollman at the Fox |
The Fox Theatre opened in 1930. Prolific Northwest theatre architect B. Marcus Priteca acted as consultant to the builder.
In August 1930, Balcom & Vaughan installed a 2/10 instrument which included parts from two
other instruments:
2/5 Robert-Morton from Centralia's Grand Theatre. This instrument had suffered a fire.
2/4 Wurlitzer, Style B from Hoquiam's Liberty Theatre
The instrument was installed in a single large back stage chamber on house right. Two ranks of Kimball pipework were added.
Ed Zollman was opening organist |
In 1969, Tom & Fran Solberg purchased the instrument. A final concert by Eddie Zollman was given on May 25, 1969. The organ was then removed and eventually re-installed in the Solberg home.
Fox Theatre, c.1930
Centralia street scene, Fox Theatre on the left, c.1935.
c.1941
c.1941
Fox Theatre street scene, c.1945
1998 view of the now-closed Fox Theatre marquee
Fox Theatre. The Last Word, 1998 view
In May 2000, the Fox building was sold to the City of Centralia. The City is looking for a buyer to refurbish the building and a minimum price of $190,000 has been set. As part of the sale, the buyer would be required to use the building as a convention center, restore it to its original appearance, maintain the outdoor marquee and allow the city to hold community meetings inside. Centralia officials estimate it will cost $1.6 million to renovate the historic theater.
Photos from a February 2001 visit to the currently closed theatre.
Fox auditorium, c.2001. All main floor seats have been removed. |
Right exit |
Right exit detail |
Main floor light fixture |
House lights up |
Landing |
Mezzanine |
Main chandelier from balcony |
View from the main floor, directly underneath |
Orchestra pit |
"Twinned" balcony |
Left staircase from lobby |
"Twinned" balcony |
A two-manual Robert Morton organ from a local church is currently stored in the theatre lobby.
According to Mike McDonald of Centralia, this instrument was installed at the Fox for a short time before the 2/10 Wurlitzer described above.
Plans call for eventual installation of this instrument in the theater once refurbishment plans are finalized. Several parties have expressed interest in the theatre including a one firm that specializes in special events, weddings and corporate meetings.
Morton console |
Pipework, stored in the lobby |
Morton, opus #2518 |
|
