Hi all! Couldn't believe it when I read my MMD this morning
and saw the note from Joyce Brite about Dr. Brinkley.
In 1974, when Rick and I moved to Del Rio, he went to work for a
developer that had purchased the Brinkley estate. The old house was
still intact, but the gardens, pool and tennis court was all bulldozed
by the time I got to see it. The house was in poor repair but it must
have really been a show place in its time. Guess big bucks could be
made in goat glands. Lord knows, there's plenty of goats in Del Rio.
Anyway, the house had a huge ballroom with three very large chandeliers
and the main attraction was a very large pipe organ, on the stage at
the end of the room. The pipes were located behind and I was told
extended 2 stories. The house is 3 stories. Anyway, I remember that
there was a cabinet that I was told played the music rolls for this.
I don't know anything about these so I'm afraid I can't tell you much
more about it. I heard that someone had purchased the house with plans
to open it for tours and use the money to restore it. I still live in
Del Rio but haven't been down to that part of town in years and had
even forgotten about that organ. Maybe, I'll get down there and see
what I can find out about it.
Happy Holidays!
Jan Johnson
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