Skyrock Farm

2825 Willow Dr.
Medina (Hamel), MN


Wurlitzer "Military-style" model 146

Text of attached letter:
"This antique automatic musical instrument is a Wurlitzer Model #146 Military Band Organ. It was built by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company loacted at North Tonawanda, New York in 1922. It was used on a merry-go-round owned by the Ott Stevens Shows of Queen City, MO  from the time it was purchased new until the various components deteriorated from wear and old age and the organ became a silent reminder of happier times.

In 1961 Mr. S. E. Peters of Monticello, IA bought the now badly deteriorated band organ from Mr. Stevens and placed it in storage until the proper amount of time needed to restore the organ arrived.

In 1972, Dick Lokemoen was working with Mr. Peters learning some of the fine points in the art of restoring various automatic music instruments when it was decided it was about time to give the 146 Wurlitzer a proper overhaul.

Every part of this instrument was taken apart and rebuilt with new materials or parts until several months had past. When Dick Lokemoen first heard it play, it was decided that if the organ should ever be for sale, Lokemoen would have a chance to purchase it. This chance came in the end of 1974 and after the first of 1975, the organ became a part of the Lokemoen Piano and Organ Repair Shop.

In the past seventy plus years, this band organ has entertained countless thousands of people and, does it just as well today as it did seventy years ago. How many 'state of the art' sound systems will be around seventy years from now, still functioning and serviceable as the venerable Wurlitzer band organ you are hearing today? Not any, I am sure!

See Wurlitzer Model 125 for more information