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Liberty (Fox) Theatre -
1st organ: 2/8 Wurlitzer Style F "Special" 1924-1930
2nd organ: 2/5 Wurlitzer "Style B" mid 1930s - late 1940s
 
Astoria, Oregon
1203 Commercial St.
 
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![Click for a larger version of this image (33K)](/instruments/or/astoria/liberty_opening-1925-s.jpg)
Opening night, 1925. Photo courtesy: THE COMPLEAT PHOTOGRAPHER
 
The Liberty Theatre opened in 1925. A Style F "Special" Wurlitzer, opus 949, was shipped from the factory in November 1924. The "Special" designation was due to the addition of a marimba and piano.
 
![Click for a larger version of this image (22K)](/instruments/or/astoria/liberty_chamber-inscription-s.jpg) |
In 1930, the organ was removed and sold to the Mayan Theatre in Denver, Colorado. This disagrees with the Judd Walton opus lists which indicate 1926 as the removal date.
 
<--- The inscription here was found on the empty organ chamber wall during a recent rennovation of the theatre. It is 2-3 feet long, written with heavy black pencil. Photo courtesy Larry Bryant. |
 
![Click for a larger version of this image (56K)](/instruments/or/astoria/liberty_streetscene-c1925-s.jpg)
c.1925
 
![Click for a larger version of this image (83K)](/instruments/or/astoria/liberty_streetscene-c1930-s.jpg)
Commercial Street, c.1930
 
![Click for a larger version of this image (37K)](/instruments/or/astoria/liberty_streetscene-1930s-s.jpg)
Commercial Street, c.1930s
 
![Click for a larger version of this image (47K)](/instruments/or/astoria/liberty_streetscene-1940s-s.jpg)
Commercial Street, c.1940s. Liberty Theatre on left.
 
![Click for a larger version of this image (39K)](/instruments/or/astoria/liberty_streetscene-c1946-s.jpg)
c.1946
 
![](/instruments/or/astoria/liberty_streetscene-1953.jpg)
Commercial Street, c.1953. Liberty Theatre on right.
 
In 1945, the organ was sold to R.C. & Edith Maddy of Denver. It was removed from the Mayan Theatre over the course of three years and eventually installed in their home.
 
![Click for a larger version of this image (36K)](/instruments/or/astoria/liberty_maddy_console-s.jpg)
Edith Maddy with the console |
![Click for a larger version of this image (42K)](/instruments/or/astoria/liberty_maddy_chamber-s.jpg)
R.C. in the chamber |
In the mid-1930's, another Wurlitzer was installed at the Liberty Theatre. It was the 2/4 Style B from the Astoria Theatre across the street. This organ remained in the Liberty Theatre until the late 1940's when it was purchased by Bill Blunk.
 
The organ was moved and/or sold several more times:
 
![Click for a larger version of this image (589K)](/instruments/or/astoria/liberty_entrance-2013-s.jpg)
Liberty Theatre entrance, 2013. Photo courtesy, Jeff Fox
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