1959 newspaper photograph - Morton Organ Company - Article in the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - gift of Beth Perrin 2010 In 1913, E.S. Johnson purchased the Los Angeles based Murray Harris Organ Company. Johnson moved the organ plant to Van Nuys and resold it to the California Organ Company in 1915. In 1917. the plant was sold yet again to Robert Morton. In three years, the Morton Organ Company was the second largest producer of theater and home organs in the United States. In 1933, the Robert Morton Organ Company closed its door permanently.
What would have caused the collapse of the Robert Morton Organ Company? Did this occur with the spread of home record players and "talkie" films?
Join your Museum on Saturday May 8th at 10:am, on our first historic walking tour of Van Nuys. Led by Richard Hilton, Chair of The Museum's Tour Programs, it will be a big adventure. $10 suggested donation - call 1 (818) 347-9665 for details and reservations.
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Several Robert-Morton organs remain intact and playing.
Not too far away there's a beautiful "Wonder Morton" console and organ complete and presented regularly at the beautiful Arlington Theatre up in Santa Barbara. Here's their Facebook page:
* http://www.facebook.com/pages/Santa-Barbara-Theatre-Organ-Society/127621020655707
If you hanker to put your hands to the manuals and feet to the pedals, you can join the volunteer group who purchased, installed and who maintains this gem, the Santa Barbara Theatre Organ Society, here:
* http://http://sbtos.com/
Up in Fresno, a big Robert Morton plays at Warnor's Theatre:
* http://historicfresno.org/nrhp/warnor.htm
A concise if perhaps incomplete list of playing Robert-Morton organs can be found here:
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Morton_Organ_Company
For a history of the Robert Morton ORgan Company, see robertmorton.org
For a history of the Robert Morton ORgan Company, see robertmorton.org
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