Ernest M. Skinner Company
Opus 199, 1912

Updated through an email received from Jayson Rodovsky Engquist on July 22, 2020. -- Skinner records (and OHS) both list a Skinner (built 1912) with Op. 199 (and TWO instruments listed with it) for a Gordon Theatre. We discovered the theater is actually the GARDEN THEATER in downtown Minneapolis (corner of Hennepin Ave. and N. 7th St.). It was first shipped from Skinner to Welte (in Poughkeepsie) where a player-mechanism was probably added. When the instrument arrived in Minneapolis (with two consoles), it was installed in two locations. The "under balcony Echo division" of about 6 ranks also spoke into lobby AND had its own 2-man console for patrons as they arrived. The 3-man console (controlling 36 ranks up front and the Echo in back) was up in orchestra pit up front. Theater was built in 1905 (as the Milo). Renamed in 1912 (when it was renovated and organ came), the Garden, it was in this location for many years. The theater changed names once more (circa 1950) to the World Theater. The fate of the Skinner is unknown. The theater was (unfortunately) razed in about 2000. Perhaps the organ went with it!

We believe there may have been a spelling error in the name of the theater, going all the way back to Skinner. There is not and never has been a "Gordon" theater in Minneapolis. However, to great fanfare, a "Garden" theater of some 3128 seats was built around 1912 in Minneapolis. An article in the Minneapolis newspaper on May 11, 1913 describes the hall and the fact that it will have a great organ WITH AN ECHO. We believe this to be the theater. The article can be found at the Minnesota Historical Society newspaper archives in a search for "Garden Theater" and "organ".

Identified through online information from Richard C Greene. -- The theater and organ are no longer extant. We have no further information at this point. [NB -- Kinzey-Lawn indicates this opus number built for Welte in Poughkeepsie, New York.]