California Organ Co.
1916

"The dedication of the new $7500 pipe organ in the new high school at Owensmouth will take place tomorrow with a recital by William Edson Strobridge, late of Christ Church.

   "Mark Keppel, county superintendent of schools, under whose guidance the original plans for the organ were made, will make the dedicatory address. Judge York, member of the school board, will receive the organ in the name of the city.

   "The organ is the latest in design and is placed in an auditorium which seats 800 people.

   "It is the intention of the community to make this auditorium the center of social and civic activities.

   "Sunday afternoon concerts will be given in the auditorium, of which the one tomorrow is the first. (Los Angeles Herald, 24 June 1916)

The organ was rebuilt in the 1970s, supposedly by one of the teachers of the high school. All of the organ's pipework was retained, as well as some of the Pedal, offset chests, shutters and shutter motors, and blower. The remaining parts of the mechanism were replaced to include the remaining windchests with new pitman and electro-pneumatic windchests, and new reservoirs. A used console was installed.

The organ was severely damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Williamson-Warne & Associates were engaged to rebuild the instrument.

Updated through online information from Steven P. Tibbetts.

This entry describes an original installation of a new pipe organ.
Identified by Jim Lewis, based on personal knowledge of the organ.
--