Database Manager on January 7th, 2019:
Updated by Eric Schmiedeberg, listing conversations with this person as the source of the information: Clayton Parks--Owner. <br> <br>This instrument utilized the 3-manual console from the Lorin Whitney residence in Hollywood, CA. Originally a Wurlitzer Style 215 console, it was built up to a three-manual by Whitney. This console would sit in the basement den area with the organ chamber (originally a bedroom) to the rear and right of the console--just a few feet away. I am not sure what all was there as far as any percussions that may have been restored to the organ\'s make-up. The bedroom space was relatively small. <br><br>Clayton later acquired a 2/5 Wurlitzer Scheme 25 Wurlitzer church organ from a church in Helena, Montana in 1969. It was around this time that the 2/4 Wurlitzer was moved out of the basement and parts of it were moved into an organ chamber built onto the back of the house\'s two-car garage. He retained the church console and would later wire the two consoles together to control the composite organ consisting of parts from the 2/4 from Knapp\'s Mortuary and the 2/5 from the church. I believe the 2/4 was stripped of all of its percussions (except the 18-note set of Chimes probably) when Balcom and Vaughn installed the organ in Knapp\'s Mortuary in Vancouver, Washington in 1932. Clayton kept the Salicional and Trumpet from the 2/4 as well as some or all of the regulators, tremulants and manual chestwork, I believe.<br><br>In 1966, Knapp\'s Mortuary in Vancouver, Washington was transferred to new ownership and the new owners wanted to get rid of the Wurlitzer and replace it with an electronic instrument. This mainly being due to the original mortuary being slated for demolition. Enter Clayton Parks.<br><br>Clayton advised me that removing the Wurlitzer from Knapp\'s Mortuary in 1966 was somewhat unnerving. Working to get the organ out was colored by strange, eerie noises and a distinct feeling that he and his helpers were being watched, even though no one visible was around! Clayton was an honest man and not given to telling tall tales or \"fishing stories\".
Database Manager on November 18th, 2007:
Updated through online information from James R. Stettner.
Database Manager on November 17th, 2007:
Identified through online information from James R. Stettner. -- The Wurlitzer was originally built for the U.S. Theatre in Vancouver, WA. It was a style 135-B. In 1941, it was moved by Balcom and Vaughan of Seattle to Knapp's Mortuary in Vancouver without tonal changes. It was moved here to the Parks residence by an unknown person or firm, though it is not unlikely that Parks did the work himself. A 2nd Wurlitzer was acquired by Parks in 1969. The disposition of the first (1919) instrument acquired in 1966 is unknown.