U.S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego. The semicircular pavilion was built by the F. Wurster Construction Company in an ornate Italian-Renaissance design. The organ was built by Austin Organs, Inc. as their Opus #453. In 1915, it had 48 ranks or 3,400 pipes, in five divisions, ranging in size from down to small pipes that were about the size of a pencil. The console had four manuals, and a pedal keyboard. The electrically powered blower had 20 horsepower, and was situated two floors below the pipes. Working pipes were located behind gilded pipes, most of which (apart from 15) were mute. Today, it has 80 ranks totaling 5,017 pipes and faces north to protect the pipes from the sunlight. The audience, therefore, faces south. Commercial airplane landings at San Diego International Airport occasionally compete with the organ's sound. During the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition, the stage size was doubled and a fountain was added. The fountain can be lit at night and is modeled after one in Chapultepec Park in Mexico City. In 1981, the pavilion was restored, and in 2002, the organ was expanded from 3,400 to 4,518 pipes. In 2015, the organ was expanded to 80 ranks and 5,017 pipes. San Diego's Spreckels Organ is now the world's largest pipe organ in a fully outdoor venue, although western New York has the larger Massey Memorial Organ in an open-air auditorium with a roof. Concerts and events Free organ concerts are given at 2:00 pm each Sunday afternoon, sponsored by San Diego Parks and Recreation Department, the Spreckels Organ Society, and private donations. On Monday evenings in the summer, The Spreckels Summer International Organ Festival is also presented by the Spreckels Organ Society. During the summer on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, "Twilight in the Park" provides mixed popular concerts. The annual December Nights celebration is performed on the Spreckels stage. The San Diego Community Christmas Center displays nativity scenes in the pavilion during the Christmas season. On August 31, 2014, Drive Like Jehu reunited for a performance at the pavilion, accompanied by civic organist Carol Williams. The collaboration was facilitated by the Spreckels Organ Society board of directors. The novelty of playing with the accompaniment of the organ was a key factor in bringing the band back together. Civic Organists of San Diego Humphrey John Stewart 1914–1932 Royal Albert Brown 1932–1954 Charles Rollins Shatto 1954–1957 Douglas Ian