North Tonawanda Barrel Organ Factory

The North Tonawanda Barrel Organ Factory is an industrial complex in North Tonawanda originally dedicated to manufacturing mechanical musical instruments, featuring a distinctive tower visible from Niagara Falls Boulevard. The ensemble spans multiple buildings with varied architectural character and structures connected by functional design.

Eugene de Kleist founded the factory in 1893 to produce band organs for carousels, leading to a partnership with the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company. This collaboration transformed American musical instrument manufacturing and established North Tonawanda as a center of the industry.

The factory produced Tonophones, mechanical musical instruments recognized at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, representing early American innovation in automated entertainment and precision manufacturing.

The restored industrial complex now houses retail shops, offices, and businesses including Platters Chocolates and Woodcock Brothers Brewery. Walking through the area helps visitors appreciate the building scale and the historic streetcar tracks that surround the property.

The factory transitioned from creating barrel organs with pinned cylinders to developing paper roll technology, marking a significant advancement in automated musical instrument production. This innovation allowed for greater musical variety to be produced more rapidly and affordably.