The City of Erie, Pennsylvania has a long history in the art of pipe organ and piano design and manufacturing. Beginning in the mid 1800's the Erie became a magnet for hundreds of immigrant craftsmen skilled in these fields and anxious to build a better life in the New World. Local businessmen quickly grasped what was transpiring and eagerly financed many of these people in setting up organ and piano factories realizing that this was a necessary albeit unusual manufacturing field in the developing New World. History has proven them to be visionaries. Since those early days and up to this very day, Erie has always been regarded as the epicenter if the pipe organ industry in North America. Although there are no longer any piano manufacturers in the City that industry too, played a large and important role in the growth of the City as well as on the world music scene. This book chronicles the history of each of those industries in Erie, their locations and the personalities and their families who were involved with each company. Readers will learn how an Erie organ company saved the world's original snack food 'Cracker Jack' from oblivion. Learn also, about several other prominent individuals whose highly successful careers in pipe organ industry were launched in Erie. With this profusely illustrated book one is able to tour around the City and identify many of the buildings that these proud industries once occupied, some with their engraved granite keystones still intact. Many of the beautiful instruments that were hand crafted in those early days are still functioning and serving in churches, synagogues, temples, universities and music venues around the world. Much of what the reader will find in this book has never before been documented. It is the author's hope that this effort will preclude this history from otherwise being lost to time.
The City of Erie, Pennsylvania has a long history in the art of pipe organ and piano design and manufacturing. Beginning in the mid 1800's the Erie became a magnet for hundreds of immigrant craftsmen skilled in these fields and anxious to build a better life in the New World. Local businessmen quickly grasped what was transpiring and eagerly financed many of these people in setting up organ and piano factories realizing that this was a necessary albeit unusual manufacturing field in the developing New World. History has proven them to be visionaries. Since those early days and up to this very day, Erie has always been regarded as the epicenter if the pipe organ industry in North America. Although there are no longer any piano manufacturers in the City that industry too, played a large and important role in the growth of the City as well as on the world music scene. This book chronicles the history of each of those industries in Erie, their locations and the personalities and their families who were involved with each company. Readers will learn how an Erie organ company saved the world's original snack food 'Cracker Jack' from oblivion. Learn also, about several other prominent individuals whose highly successful careers in pipe organ industry were launched in Erie. With this profusely illustrated book one is able to tour around the City and identify many of the buildings that these proud industries once occupied, some with their engraved granite keystones still intact. Many of the beautiful instruments that were hand crafted in those early days are still functioning and serving in churches, synagogues, temples, universities and music venues around the world. Much of what the reader will find in this book has never before been documented. It is the author's hope that this effort will preclude this history from otherwise being lost to time.
