Austin Organ Co.
Opus 828, 1919

From kchistory.org: The old gold, old rose, old blue and brown interior of the Newman Theater is shown on this 1919 post card. It was the third and finest of Frank L. Newman's movie houses in Kansas City. The site of the Newman Theater was that of the old Brady Building, which had been gutted by fire in 1918. It was the largest motion picture theater to be built in the downtown district and the most costly theater of any sort to be erected here. It was built on a 100-foot frontage at 1114-18 Main just 25 feet north of 12th. Newman's other downtown theaters were the Royal, one-half block north, and the Regent, 109 E. 12th. The architect for the Newman was Alexander Drake and the steel and concrete fire-proof building cost nearly $400,000. Seating capacity was 2,000. The orchestra pit accommodated a 35-piece orchestra and on special occasions 50 musicians would be employed.A large mezzanine floor promenade was located between the first floor and balcony. Off this area was a nursery for children and various lounges.
From cinematreasures.org: In 1941 it was operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. and was re-named Paramount Theatre on June 15, 1947. From January 29, 1969, it was briefly known as the Towne Theatre after it had been converted into a 4-screen cinema by architectural firm Lund-Balderson.
It was closed on February 6, 1972 and was torn down later in 1972.

Installed in the Newman Theatre, Kansas City, in 1919; replaced in 1925 by Wurlitzer 3/15 Style 260 and relocated to the University of Kansas, Lawrence; theater renamed the Paramount Theater ca.1946; renamed Towne Theatre in 1969 and became a multi-plex; razed in 1972.

On-line update from Max Mayse -- Organ was taken out of service and the console removed in the late 1960s. Remaining pipework and chests destroyed by a fire June 15, 1991.

Information identifying this instrument from the Austin Organs, Inc. web site, accessed December 31, 2004: http://www.austinorgans.com/organ-research.htm.