PSTOS - Music Box (Tacoma) Theatre, Tacoma Washington

Music Box (Tacoma, Broadway) Theatre
3/12 Robert Morton
Tacoma, Washington
Broadway & 9th
Organ installation timeframe: 1920s - 1963

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The Tacoma Theatre, c.1907

c.1907-1915

pre-1913

The Music Box originally opened as the Tacoma Theatre on January 13th, 1890. The elaborate Tudor-style building covered a full city block. A three-manual Robert Morton theatre pipe organ was installed in the 1920s. The exact install date is unknown.

In 1927, the theatre operated as the Broadway. Sometime before 1935, the name was changed to Music Box.

On May 1st 1963, there was a fire at the theatre which destroyed most of the building - including the organ chambers. The console was not initially harmed but the fire department would not allow local hobbyists to rescue the console - it was totally destroyed by water used to cool "hot spots" after the fire was extinguished.

Tacoma Theatre program, c.1934 --->

Gunnar Anderson at the console, date unknown

Music Box Theatre Robert Morton console, date unknown

Sign for a show at the Broadway Theatre starting October 7, 1927

Crowd in Broadway Square, c.1935. Note Rialto Theatre signage on 9th St.

Another view of the Music Box console

The Music Box was previously named the Broadway Theatre. A group of students from College of Puget Sound (now University of Puget Sound) is shown at the Northwest entrance in this 1927 photo, courtesy William Zinn.

Looking North on Broadway, c.1940

Glimpse of the Music Box Theatre building, c.1940

Looking North on Broadway, c.1948

Looking east on 9th St, c.1953. Roxy (Pantages) Theatre also shown.

Intersection of Broadway and St. Helens Streets, c.1950s

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Postcard for the Tacoma Theatre, 1907