The $60,000 Mighty Wurlitzer Organ elevated over the orchestra pit. The organ is a Wurlitzer Balaban three, it is only one of six that was originally constructed. The Mighty Wurlitzer organ has 1,071 pipes. It was used for sing-a-longs, vaudeville shows, and to entertain people before and after the shows or performances. It was used for making sounds like ocean surf, birds chirping, and horses hooves.
In 1972, the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ was sold to Tom Beck, an organ enthusiast and airplane pilot in Dallas, Texas. When Beck died he had left the organ to Gilbert Swift, Swift then agreed to sell tthe organ back to the El Paso Community Foundation. Several El Pasoans fought hard and long to save the theatre and its organ. Karl O. Wyler Sr. was one of those El Pasoans. It was his idea to save the Plaza and bring back the organ. Once the plaza Theatre had started renovating, the organ was sent to a theatre organ expert. Through generosity the organ was restored and returned to El Paso in 1998. It was returned to its rightful home, the Plaza Theatre.
In 1972, the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ was sold to Tom Beck, an organ enthusiast and airplane pilot in Dallas, Texas. When Beck died he had left the organ to Gilbert Swift, Swift then agreed to sell tthe organ back to the El Paso Community Foundation. Several El Pasoans fought hard and long to save the theatre and its organ. Karl O. Wyler Sr. was one of those El Pasoans. It was his idea to save the Plaza and bring back the organ. Once the plaza Theatre had started renovating, the organ was sent to a theatre organ expert. Through generosity the organ was restored and returned to El Paso in 1998. It was returned to its rightful home, the Plaza Theatre.