San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Spreckels Organ and Pavilion
Los Angeles architect Harrison Albright (1866-1932) designed the Organ housing and surrounding Pavilion in an Italian-Renaissance style that stands apart from the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of other Exposition buildings. Some design features reflect the special requirements of an outdoor instrument. An oversized attic provides insulation and the 20,000 pound roll-down steel door seals and safeguards the Organ when not in use. Practical design elements are softened by an elaborately filigreed arch decorative finals, integral nightime lighting and musically symbolic ornamentations of trumpeting angels and the mythical piping Pan, Corinthian colonnades partially encircle the 2,300 open seats.
The stage was enlarged and a fountain added to the Pavilion for the 1935 California Pacific International exposition. The Organ has undergone many repairs, renovations and a restoration in the 1980s.
The earliest performances in this Pavilion were organized by the Panama- California Exposition's Civic Music Committee led by Gertrude Gilbert (1871-1947). Free weekly public concerts by a Civic Organist are today presented through a cooperative partnership between the City of San Diego and the Spreckels Organ Society, founded in 1988. An International Summer Organ Festival brings the world's most accomplished organists to San Diego, The Pavilion hosts numerous other musical performances and is a prominent civic gathering place.
During World War I, sailors assigned to the Naval Training Station in Balboa Park and the general public enjoyed Organ music with Sunday morning services at the Pavilion. The US Navy used the Pavilion as a dispensary dental clinic and for lectures and movies during its World War Il occupation of Balboa Park. Specialist First Class Robert D. Smith gave weekly Organ recitals for the troops.
Erected 2014 by Friends of Balboa Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is January 1, 1915.
Location. 32° 43.784′ N, 117° 9.06′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. Marker is on Pan American Rd East, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Diego CA 92101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Declaration of Human Rights by Cyrus the Great (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The History of the Japanese Friendship Garden (about 400 feet away); Agoston Haraszthy (about 400 feet away); L/CPL Kenneth J. Haywood U.S.M.C. (about 400 feet away); House of Charm (about 500 feet away); California Quadrangle (about 700 feet away); The Discovery of California (about 800 feet away); David Charles Collier (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.
Additional keywords. 32.72974069783254, -117.1509946167782
Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 154 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 31, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 6. submitted on November 4, 2022. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.