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 a cool outdoor spot in Balboa Park, San Diego, California. It's home to the amazing Spreckels Organ, which is a giant pipe organ played outdoors! With over 5,000 pipes, it's the biggest outdoor pipe organ in the whole world. It was built for a big event called the 1915 Panama–California Exposition. You can find it at the corner of President's Way and Pan American Road East in the park.
Contents
History of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion
How the Organ Pavilion Began
John D. Spreckels was a very rich person in San Diego County. He was the son of a sugar boss named Claus Spreckels. John D. Spreckels gave the organ and its building to the city of San Diego. He wanted it to be a place for everyone to enjoy free entertainment.
John D. Spreckels owned many businesses, like the Hotel del Coronado. He also owned the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper. People called him an "economic survivor" because his investments often did very well. He strongly supported the Panama-California Exposition.
A Gift to the World
During the exposition's building, John D. Spreckels and his brother Adolph B. Spreckels gave the organ pavilion as a gift. They wanted it for "the people of San Diego" and "the people of all the world." This special gift happened on December 31, 1914. They donated $33,500 for the organ and $66,500 for the pavilion.
After their announcement, a local orchestra played music. Then, a large group of 250 singers performed parts of a famous musical story called The Creation.
Famous Visitors and Speeches
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 the United States should have a strong military. He also asked San Diegans to keep the temporary buildings from the exposition.
Another former President, William Howard Taft, also spoke at the pavilion. Over 7,000 people listened on September 16, 1915. Taft praised the city for the beautiful buildings used for the exposition.
Organists and Challenges
John D. Spreckels also paid for a famous organist, Humphrey John Stewart, to play for two years. After the exposition, Spreckels kept Stewart playing 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 happened from 1942 to 1948. Later, in the 1970s and 1980s, the pavilion wasn't used much. There was even a risk it might be torn down. But people cared! About $1.1 million was raised by the city and a local group to fix it up in the early 1980s.
Design and Features of the Organ Pavilion
Building the Pavilion
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 there 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 San Diego.
The pavilion has a half-circle shape and a fancy Italian-Renaissance style. The F. Wurster Construction Company built it.
The Amazing Organ Itself
The organ was built by Austin Organs, Inc. In 1915, it had 48 sets of pipes, called ranks, with 3,400 pipes in total. These pipes ranged from 32 feet tall to as small as a pencil. The organ console had four keyboards for hands and one for feet. A powerful electric blower, located two floors below, made the air for the pipes. Many of the pipes you see are just for show, but the working pipes are hidden behind them.
Today, the organ is even bigger! It has 80 ranks and 5,017 pipes. It faces north to keep the pipes safe from the sun. This means the audience faces south. Sometimes, planes landing at San Diego International Airport can be heard over the organ's music.
Pavilion Upgrades
During the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition, the stage was made twice as big. A beautiful fountain was also added. This fountain can light up at night and looks like one in Mexico City's Chapultepec Park.
The pavilion was fixed up in 1981. The organ was made larger in 2002, going from 3,400 to 4,518 pipes. Then, in 2015, it grew again to 80 ranks and 5,017 pipes. This makes San Diego's Spreckels Organ the world's largest pipe organ in a completely outdoor setting.
Concerts and Fun Events
Regular Performances
You can enjoy free organ concerts every Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm. These concerts are sponsored by the San Diego Parks and Recreation Department, the Spreckels Organ Society, and donations.
During the summer, the Spreckels Organ Society hosts the Spreckels Summer International Organ Festival. These concerts happen on Monday evenings at 7:30 pm. Some concerts even feature a silent movie with organ music, just like old movie theaters!
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in the summer, "Twilight in the Park" offers different kinds of popular concerts.
Special Celebrations
The annual December Nights celebration takes place on the Spreckels stage. During the Christmas season, the San Diego Community Christmas Center displays nativity scenes at the pavilion.
Many high school and college graduation ceremonies are also held at the organ pavilion. It's a grand place for such important events!
In 2014, a band called Drive Like Jehu played a special show there. They were joined by the civic organist, Carol Williams. The idea of playing with the organ was a big reason the band got back together for that unique performance.
Civic Organists of 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 1985–2001
- Carol Williams 2001–2016 (San Diego Civic Organist Emerita)
- Raúl Prieto Ramírez 2018–Present
Organ Curators
- Edward Crome 1914 (Installer)
- Anton Rokos 1915–1916 (Curator)
- Roy W. Tolchard 1916–1932
- Edwin A. Spencer 1932–1947
- Leonard L. Dowling 1947–1974
- Lyle Blackinton 1974–2014
- Dale Sorenson 2015-present
Gallery
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Plaque of Spreckels Organ Pavilion dedication, 2024
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A Sunday afternoon concert with Carol Williams in December 2013. Nativity scene displays are present in the background in the small green sheds
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A Monday evening concert in 2008
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Balboa Park Organ Pavilion main stage and seats 2024
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Wide Angle from inside the Pavilion, 2024
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Fountain dedicated to the 1936 Exposition workers
