ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
From: Doug Powers, November 2004
In the late 1960's, I had the rare opportunity to
examine what was then a 260 Wurlitzer installed in the
Lowe's State Theatre in Cleveland. The solo chamber
had the brass trumpet and sax along with oboe horn,
orch oboe, tuned sleigh bells, etc. etc. Over a
period of most likely 10 - 20 years, that chamber had
been broken into as access was a stunningly easy walk
up some steps from the parking lot below! Most of the
brass was gone along with the sleigh bells and many
metal pipes. It was hypothesized that this metal was
stolen by homeless (known as wine-o's or bums back
then) and sold to buy a cheap fix... never ever to
sound a note again.
The main chamber was nearly impossible to get to
without risking one's life... and of course was 100%
intact after sitting lifeless for approximately 20 -
30 years.
By the way... this organ was removed from the theatre
in late 1969 as it appeared as though the entire
three-theatre complex was about to meet the wrecker's
ball. Long story short... it didn't! And, it is now
one of the most successful and glorious movie palace
complexes (Playhouse Square) in the world!
Unfortunately, sans Wurlitzer. The remains were since
broken up.