The Mighty WurliTzer
At the May 30, 1905 opening of The Oaks, a band played for skating as well as concerts in the park. In time, this band was replaced with a large band organ (the music machines of carousels). In 1925, a Wood Pipe Organ was installed then upgraded until 1955 when this WurliTzer was installed.
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1955 Console
Robert next to console (Robert stood 5' 10")














 

Across Rink
Looking across the floor from the
Spectators area toward organ booth
 
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Console

   

English HornsThe Mighty WurliTzer was installed in The Oaks Rink in 1955 without shutters to satisfy the demand for volume. It is a four manual, eighteen rank instrument.  The organ has 1,242 pipes, including the following ranks: Gamba, Vox Humana, Flute, Viol d'Orchestra,opdiapason  Clarinet, Viol Celeste, Horn Diapason, Tuba Horn, Diaphonic Diapason, String Celeste, Saxophone, String,   English Horns / Courtesy S Bray      Kinura, Orchestral Oboe,

Tibia Clausa, Trumpet, Oboe Horn, and Quintadena, plus Marimba, Harp, Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Orchestra Bells, Sleigh Bells, Chrysoglott, Cathedral Chimes, Snare Drum, Tambourine, Castanets, Chinese Block, Sand Block, Bass     Open Diapason / Courtesy S Bray

Drum, Kettle Drum, Tom Tom, Crash Cymbal, Sizzle Cymbal, Triangle, Bird Whistle,
Boat Whistle, Horses Hoofs, Fire Bell, Auto Horn, Telephone Bell, and Surf  Sound.

Originally installed in the Broadway Theater in downtown Portland, Oregon, July 3, 1926, it was purchased by Robert Bollinger for installation in the rink.

ConsoleThis organ, while not containing as many pipes, has a great deal more stops and volume than other organs. A system of wiring makes the various ranks available on any keyboard at any pitch and high pressure air brings more volume out of each individual pipe. It also differs in that it contains many percussion instruments not found in the refined classic organ. These include glockenspiel, xylophone, marimba, chromatic sleigh bells, tambourine, bird whistles, Chinese wood block, snare drums, bass drums, Persian crash cymbal, and many others.

     Console / Courtesy D Lemear

Xylophone Bells
 

Tibia Pipes
Xylophone Bells / Courtesy S Bray
 
 Tibia Pipes / Courtesy S Bray   

© Copyright 1998 - 2010 Mrs. "B" unless otherwise noted, pictures were
taken by or are part of The Bollinger collection