Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Barton Organs (1929)

Location:

Chicago Stadium
1800 West Madison
Chicago, IL 60612 US
Organ ID: 36615

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Status and Condition:

  • The organ is no longer extant; destroyed.
  • The organ's condition is unknown.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: EP unit
  • 51 ranks. 3,663 pipes. 4 divisions. 6 manuals.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): EP unit chests
  • Position: In gallery-level chambers at the rear of the room.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 6
  • Divisions: 4
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • Pedal Compass: 32
  • Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
  • Stop Action: Electric connection between stop control and chest.
  • Console Style: Horseshoe style console.
  • Combination Action: Setterboard (remote or in console).
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals.
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Solomon Wickline on March 01, 2021:

The Barton console now controls a large organ in the residence of Phil Maloof in Las Vegas.
From Online information on http://theatreorgans.com/barton/

We received the most recent update for this note from Solomon Wickline on March 01, 2021.
Database Manager on July 30, 2018:

Information from Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ, Vol. I by David L. Junchen. Pasadena: Showcase Publications, 1985.
"250 organ"

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on December 18, 2018.
Database Manager on December 19, 2014:

Updated through online information from Dale Pfeiffer. -- the removal of the organ was taped by Dale Pfeiffer. To date no one has offered to help with the cost of edit and the tapes WILL be bulk erased and reused on other projects as of 1/1/15

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on July 30, 2018.
Database Manager on September 10, 2008:

Updated through online information from Paul Marchesano. -- The Stadium console which had not been moved into the warehouse survived and was sold to Phil Maloof who has it installed in his music room at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on September 09, 2008:

Identified through online information from Paul Marchesano. -- Stadium closed 1994, demolished 1995. Organ was removed to be installed (along with a Barton 3/12) in the 19th Hole (owned by Bob Ropolo, in suburban Chicago). 19th Hole closed and the organ was moved to storage in Phoenix, AZ. In October of 1996, a propane tank on a trailer parked next to the warehouse exploded and created a big fire in the surrounding area. The warehouse was soon engulfed, and the two Bartons, along with a 3/19 WurliTzer from the Loew's State Memphis (Opus 1271) )which had been fully restored and was waiting installation in a planned pizza restaurant) were totally destroyed.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab Stoplist from <i>Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ, Vol. I</i> by David L. Junchen
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

Instrument Images:

Stadium exterior, 1930's.: Vintage postcard, courtesy of James R.Stettner.

Console: (ca. 1957) Cover of 1957 album: Al Melgard at the Chicago Stadium Organ Vol. 2; image courtesy of James R. Stettner.