Empress Theatre - 2/7 Kimball
Fairbanks, Alaska
535 2nd Ave.
Organ installation timeframe: 1927 - 1961
 
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Empress Theatre following remodel, c.1953. Note organ console in orchestra pit. Photo courtesy cinematour.com
 
The Empress Theatre was built in 1927 by Alaskan entrepreneur Austin "Cap" Lathrop. The theatre had a 2/7 Kimball organ installed in time for opening night on August 25, 1927.
 
Similar Kimball unit organs were also installed in the Lathrop-owned Empress Theatres in Anchorage and Cordova.
 

Empress Theatre, c.1952. Photo courtesy cinematour.com
 
According to an article appearing in the Fairbanks Daily News written by Ray Bonnell dated March 29, 2014, the Empress organ was removed in 1961 when the theatre was remodeled to become the Co-op Drug Store. The article goes on to note that the organ eventually found a home in the local Steak & Pipes restaurant but this cannot be verified as the Steak & Pipes organ came from Uncle's Pizza in Anchorage. It's possible parts from the Empress Kimball were incorporated into the Steak & Pipes installation. Finally, the article mentions that after the restaurant closed, the organ was placed into storage at another of Lathrop's properties, the Lacey Street Theatre at 504 2nd Avenue, now operating as the Fairbanks Ice Museum. Current status of the organ is unknown.
 

Early view of adjacent Cushman St. showing signage for the Empress Theatre
 

c.1940's
 

Early 1950's. Note location of vertical EMPRESS signage which was later raised to accomodate a large entrance marquee
 

Early 1950's, before remodel and installation of large neon marquee
 

1960's
 

c.1967