PSTOS - Playland Amusement Park Skating Rink, Seattle Washington

Playland Amusement Park Skating Rink
2/9 Wurlitzer
Seattle, Washington
132nd & Aurora Ave N. (near Bitter Lake)
Organ installation timeframe: 1938 - 1943

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Playland Amusement Park

Located near North Seattle's Bitter Lake, Playland was a very popular family entertainment spot which operated from 1930 to 1961. The giant wooden "Dipper" was the largest rollercoaster in Seattle at the time.

Among the various rides and attractions was a skating rink with a two-manual Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ.

Playland Rink skate floor, date unknown

The organ was a Style 170, opus #451 that was previously installed in the Ellensburg Theatre in Ellensburg, Washington. In 1938, it was moved to the Playland rink.

In 1943, Balcom & Vaughan moved the organ to Everett's Rollerfair (aka Skateland) Rink.

In 1965, the instrument was purchased by Ray & Muriel Whelpley of Bellevue, Washington. It is currently playing in their home.

Dipper entrance
Log "Chutes" ride
Midway at night

1950's fire A fire destroyed much of Playland in the in the mid 1950's. The owners rebuilt the park and operated it for several more years until closing in 1961.