Spreckels Organ Pavilion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spreckels Organ Pavilion |
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Organ concert at the pavilion, February 1915
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| General information | |
| Type | Pipe organ |
| Location | Balboa Park, San Diego, California |
| Address | 1549 El Prado #10 San Diego, CA 92101 |
| Construction started | 1914 |
| Completed | 1914 |
| Opened | December 31, 1914 |
| Cost | Organ: $33,500 ($978,734 today) Pavilion: $66,500 ($1,942,860 today) |
| Height | 75 feet (23 m) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Harrison Albright |
| Main contractor | Wurster Construction Company |
| Other information | |
| Seating type | Metal benches |
| Seating capacity | 2,500 |
The Spreckels Organ Pavilion is home to the amazing Spreckels Organ. This special organ is located outdoors in Balboa Park in San Diego, California. It's known as the world's largest pipe organ that plays in a completely outdoor space!
The pavilion and organ were built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. You can find it in the park at the corner of President's Way and Pan American Road East.
Contents
Discover the History of the Spreckels Organ
The Spreckels Organ Pavilion has a rich history, starting with a generous gift to the city of San Diego.
Who Donated the Organ and Pavilion?
John D. Spreckels was a very wealthy person in San Diego County. He was the son of a sugar businessman named Claus Spreckels. John D. Spreckels was a big supporter of the Panama-California Exposition.
He and his brother, Adolph B. Spreckels, gave the organ pavilion as a gift. They wanted it to be for "the people of San Diego" and "the people of all the world." This special gift was given on December 31, 1914. They donated $33,500 for the organ and $66,500 for the pavilion.
After the gift was announced, a local orchestra played music. Then, a large group of 250 singers performed songs from a famous musical story called The Creation.
Famous Visitors at the Pavilion
Many important people have visited the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. On July 27, 1915, former President Theodore Roosevelt gave a speech there. Nearly 19,000 people came to listen! He talked about world peace and how he wanted the United States to have at least 200,000 military members. He also asked the people of San Diego to keep the temporary buildings from the exposition.
Another former President, William Howard Taft, also spoke at the pavilion. On September 16, 1915, over 7,000 people listened to him. Taft praised the city for the beautiful buildings used in the exposition.
Organists and Times of Change
John D. Spreckels also paid for a famous organ player, Humphrey John Stewart, to play during the two years of the exposition. After the exposition ended, Spreckels kept Stewart playing for longer. When John D. Spreckels passed away in 1926, his memorial service was held at the pavilion.
During World War II, the U.S. Navy used Balboa Park. Because of this, no organ concerts were held from 1942 to 1948. In the 1970s and 1980s, the pavilion wasn't used much and was almost torn down. Luckily, about $1.1 million was raised by the city and a local group to fix it up.
How the Spreckels Organ Pavilion Was Designed
The design of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is quite unique and beautiful.
Choosing the Location and Architect
At first, the plans for Balboa Park included a music pavilion in a different spot. But when Brazil decided not to build a display for the exposition, the pavilion was built in that empty space instead.
Spreckels chose Harrison Albright to design the organ pavilion. Albright was an architect from Los Angeles who taught himself. He had also designed the U.S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego. The pavilion was built in a half-circle shape. It has a fancy Italian-Renaissance style and was built by the F. Wurster Construction Company.
About the Organ Itself
The organ was built by Austin Organs, Inc. It was their 453rd organ! In 1915, it had 48 sets of pipes, called ranks, which meant 3,400 pipes in total. These pipes ranged from 32 feet (9.8 m) tall to as small as a pencil. The organ console had four keyboards for the hands and one for the feet. A 20-horsepower electric fan, located two floors below, powered the pipes.
Most of the pipes you see are just for show, but the working pipes are hidden behind them. Today, the organ is much bigger! It has 80 ranks and 5,017 pipes. It faces north to keep the pipes safe from the sun, so the audience faces south. Sometimes, planes landing at San Diego International Airport can be heard over the organ's music.
Changes and Updates Over Time
During the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition, the stage was made twice as big. A fountain was also added, which can light up at night. This fountain is like one found in Chapultepec Park in Mexico City.
In 1981, the pavilion was fixed up. Then, in 2002, the organ grew from 3,400 to 4,518 pipes. By 2015, it had expanded even more to 80 ranks and 5,017 pipes. The Spreckels Organ in San Diego is now the biggest pipe organ in a fully outdoor place in the world!
Concerts and Fun Events
The Spreckels Organ Pavilion is a lively place with many events for everyone to enjoy.
Regular Concerts and Festivals
You can enjoy free organ concerts every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm in Balboa Park (San Diego). These concerts are supported by the San Diego Parks and Recreation Department, the Spreckels Organ Society, and private donations.
In the summer, on Monday evenings, the Spreckels Summer International Organ Festival takes place. This festival is also presented by the Spreckels Organ Society. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the summer, "Twilight in the Park" offers different popular concerts.
The yearly December Nights celebration also happens on the Spreckels stage. During the Christmas season, the San Diego Community Christmas Center displays nativity scenes at the pavilion.
Special Performances
On August 31, 2014, a band called Drive Like Jehu played a special reunion concert at the pavilion. They were joined by the civic organist, Carol Williams. The idea for this unique show came from the Spreckels Organ Society. The band was excited to play with the organ, which helped bring them back together for this event.
Meet the Civic Organists of San Diego
These talented musicians have served as the official organists for San Diego:
- Humphrey John Stewart 1914–1932
- Royal Albert Brown 1932–1954
- Charles Rollins Shatto 1954–1957
- Douglas Ian Duncan 1957–1978
- Jared Jacobsen 1978–1984
- Robert Plimpton 1984–2001
- Carol Williams 2001–2016 (San Diego Civic Organist Emerita)
- Raúl Prieto Ramírez 2018–Present
Organ Curators
These individuals have been responsible for maintaining and caring for the Spreckels Organ:
- Edward Crome 1914 (Installer)
- Anton Rokos 1914–1916 (Curator & Installer)
- Roy W. Tolchard 1916–1932
- Edwin A. Spencer 1932–1947
- Leonard L. Dowling 1947–1974
- Lyle Blackinton 1974–present
