PSTOS - Haller Lake Community Club, Seattle Washington

Haller Lake Community Club - 3/10 Wurlitzer
Seattle, Washington
12579 Densmore Ave N.
Organ installation timeframe: 1969 - present

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Haller Lake console

The PSTOS-owned Haller Lake Community Club organ was originally shipped from the Wurlitzer factory in July 1926. It was a Style D with player, opus 1432. The organ never had a theatre home having originally been installed in the Fraternal Order of Eagles hall in Dayton, Ohio. The organ was seldom used in this location and its main cable was eventually cut and the console removed to make more room for bingo tables.

Auditorium, showing stage, shutter openings, and previous Marr & Colton console.

The entire organ (less console and relays) was sold by the lodge to the Leonard McMahon family in 1959 for the princely sum of $50.00.

In July 1959, the McMahons purchased a 3-manual Marr & Colton console and relays from the Toledo Pipe Organ Company (ex: Grand Theatre, Detroit Michigan) for $325.00.

The McMahons totally re-leathered the organ and then the Boeing Co. transferred the family to Seattle, not knowing the family's moving expenses would be ballooned by a pipe organ. The instrument did make it to Seattle and was playing in the McMahon's Queen Anne Hill residence by the mid-1960's.

Following Mr. McMahon's untimely death, PSTOS sold bonds to its members and purchased the instrument from Mrs. McMahon, removing it from her Queen Anne Hill home.

Main chamber, showing new Clarinet
New string celeste

Solo chamber showing Kinura, Trumpet, Tibia and Vox

HLIC signing, May 1969 A contract was signed with the Haller Lake Improvement Club on June 5, 1969. The installation was completed by September of 1969.

Pictured are - seated: Mrs. Paula Beauchamp, Past HLIC President; Les Lehne, PSTOS Chairman. Standing: Harry Harkness, HLIC Co-ordinator; William R. Ross, present HLIC President; and Russ Evans, ATOE Co-ordinator.

Haller Lake Community Club entrance. Photo courtesy www.hallerlake.info.

In 2014, a three-manual console and replica Wurlitzer pneumatic relay built by Ray Whelpley, and formerly controlling his residence organ, was installed at Haller Lake Community Club, replacing the Marr & Colton console.

A unique feature of the installation is the moveable percussions mounted on wheels that can be rolled onto the stage to permit maintenance access to the two chambers.

When not in use, the console is protected by a special plywood cover. The organ can be played without having to remove the entire cover, which is very convenient since the instrument is made available for practice sessions - one person can open it without needing assistance.

Many national and international artists have played the PSTOS Haller Lake instrument over the years. One of the first visiting performers was Australian Tony Fenelon who presented a program in September 1969.
Tony Fenelon, c.1969

Visit the Haller Lake Community Club website:
www.hallerlake.info

Previous Marr & Colton console
Installation timeframe: 1959-2016

Following installation of the Whelpley console at Haller Lake Community Club, the Marr & Colton console was sold to Fred Beeks who installed it at the Centralia Fox Theatre to control the instrument he and wife Eva donated to the theatre in 2007.

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Previous Marr & Colton console

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c.1971

Previous 3/8 specification (from Marr & Colton console)

Pedal
16 Diaphone
16 Contre Tibia Clausa
16 Bourdon
8 Open Diapason
8 Tibia Clausa
8 Flute
8 Cello
8 Trumpet

Pedal traps (back rail)
Bass Drum
Kettle Drum
Triangle
Cymbal

Solo
16 Contre Tibia Clausa
16 Trumpet (T.C.)
16 Vox Humana (T.C.)
8 Tibia Clausa
8 Flute
8 Viol d'Orchestra
8 Trumpet
8 Diapason
8 Kinura
8 Vox Humana
4 Tibia Clausa
4 Flute
4 Viol
2-2/3 Twelfth
2 Piccolo
Chrysoglott
Cathedral Chimes

Toe pistons
Siren
Boat Whistle
Horn
Crash Cymbal
Accompaniment
blank
16 Contre Viole (T.C.)
16 Vox Humana (T.C.)
8 Tibia Clausa
8 Flute
8 Viol d'Orchestra
8 Trumpet
8 Diapason
8 Kinura
8 Vox Humana
4 Piccolo
4 Flute
4 Viol d'Orchestra
4 Diapason
2 Piccolo
Chrysoglott
Snare Drum Loud
Snare Drum Soft
Tambourine
Castanets
Chinese Block
Tom Tom
Sleigh Bells
Cymbal

Second Touch
8 Trumpet
8 Diapason

Tremulants
Main
Trumpet/Kinura
Tibia

Accessories
Celeste Coupler Off

Great
16 Contre Tibia Clausa
16 Bourdon
16 Contre Viol (T.C.)
16 Vox Humana (T.C.)
16 Diaphone
16 Trumpet (T.C.)
16 Kinura (T.C.)
8 Tibia Clausa
8 Flute
8 Viol D'Orchestra
8 Trumpet
8 Diapason
8 Kinura
8 Vox Humana
8 Saxophone (Syn.)
8 Orchestral Oboe (Syn.)
5-2/5 Quint
4 Piccolo
4 Flute
4 Viol D'Orchestra
4 Diapason
4 Vox Humana
2-2/3 Twelfth
2-2/3 Nazard
2 Piccolo
2 Fifteenth
1-3/5 Tierce
Chrysoglott
Xylophone
Glockenspiel

Push buttons/switches
Vox tremulant on/off
Cow bell
Door bell
Hoofs
Police whistle
Bird whistle
Master swell on/off