Hi all,  The Aeolian factory in Garwood, New Jersey, was where the
player stacks were made and installed.  It was also the Aeolian organ
factory.  I have pictures of some factory workers working on different
parts of organs in different parts of the factory.

As far as the smoke stack with the word "ianola", this is what
happened.  Back in the 1950s or '60s, I forgot the exact year, someone
in their infinite wisdom was thinking that the smokestack was going to
fall down, so they started to dismantle it, brick by brick.  Well, the
workers that were dismantling the smokestack found out that it was not
going to come down.  They got about 8 feet of the stack dismantled when
they gave up and decided that the smokestack was not going anywhere.

So much for infinite wisdom.  They finished off the top to make it look
good but now the stack said "IANOLA" when it should have read "PIANOLA".
Apparently they made the push-up players there also.

There is also a large water tower that was used to hold water for the
buildings fire sprinkler system.  Aeolian was very concerned about
fire, as they had one of the first automatic fire sprinkler systems in
New Jersey.  Well, this water tower is going to be taken down this year
because there is no water in it, and the way the tower was designed,
it needs the weight of the water to keep it from falling down in a wind
storm.  Right now the only reason it is still up is because the fire
department still has not removed their radio antenna from it.  It is
funny how those who are making it come down, are keeping it up because
they have no place for the radio antenna.

I could go on and on about the history of this building, as I know a lot
about it.  I have been in and out and around it as I am a fireman in
town, and the borough superintendent of fire alarm.  It is now a paper
mill that works 24 hour shifts 7 days a week.

Mike Madeira, President
Leather Supply House
345 Hazel Ave
Garwood, New Jersey