Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. (Opus 1807, 1927)

Originally The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. (Opus 1807, 1927)

Location:

Whiteside Theatre
361 SW Madison Avenue
Corvallis, OR 97333 US
Auditorium
Organ ID: 63660

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Theatres, Cinemas, Movie Houses
  • The organ is currently being renovated or restored.
  • The organ's condition is not playable.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Eric Schmiedeberg on October 28, 2021.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Wurlitzer
  • 8 ranks. 632 pipes. 2 divisions. 2 manuals. 8 stops. 78 registers.
Main & Solo:
  • Chest Type(s): Wurlitzer chests
  • Position: In side chambers at the front of the room. No visible pipes.
  • Built by The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co.
We received the most recent update for this division from Eric Schmiedeberg on October 28, 2021.
Main:
  • Built by The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co.
  • Manuals: 2
  • Divisions: 2
  • Stops: 8
  • Registers: 78
  • Position: Console in fixed position, center.
  • 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.
  • Stop Controls: Stop keys in horseshoe curves.
  • Combination Action: Setterboard (remote or in console).
  • Combination Action Name: Wurlitzer
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard.
  • Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Toe Pistons
We received the most recent update for this console from Eric Schmiedeberg on October 29, 2021.
Eric Schmiedeberg on October 29, 2021:

"Mrs. Byron Taylor" was actually Lillian McElroy-Hunt after having taken her name from her latest husband.

We received the most recent update for this note from Eric Schmiedeberg on October 29, 2021.
Database Manager on February 07, 2019:

Updated by Eric Schmiedeberg, naming this as the source of information: Virginia Rankin, Whiteside Theater Organ Given to OSU, September 2, 1961--Corvallis Gazette-Times Newspaper.

According to this article, the organ was installed with the assistance of Herman (Tuffy) Belt in 1927. It was played by Lillian McElroy-Hunt, Mrs. Byron Taylor and Eddie Searing. At one time, Mr. Searing performed a live radio program at the organ on Saturday mornings.

Also according to the article, Dick Chase of Corvallis had played and maintained the organ for eight years.

I personally know that he would be the one responsible for the removal and re-installation of the organ at Gill Coliseum on the campus of Oregon State University.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on February 08, 2019.
Database Manager on January 11, 2019:

This entry describes an original installation of a new pipe organ.
Identified by Eric Schmiedeberg, who gave this as the source of the information: I advocated for the renewed use of the instrument in its second home at Gill Coliseum on the campus of Oregon State University, played it and did some repair/maintenance work on it there..

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on January 12, 2019.

Instrument Images:

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