David Allmendinger founded the Ann Arbor Organ Works in 1872 at his home on the northwest corner of Washington and First Streets in Anne Arbor, Michigan. The four story building is still there today.

Allmendinger specialized in making reed organs. The reed organ at one time was more popular than the piano in rural areas because it was cheaper, didn’t require as much tuning as a piano, and was much lighter. Additionally, the reed organ was a desirable alternative to the expensive pipe organ that many churches simply could not afford.

Reed organs use a small piece of brass about a half-inch wide and one to five inches long mounted on blocks of wood. The pedals are attached to the bellows and are operated by the feet while playing. The air created by the bellows is sucked between the reeds, similar to a harmonica.

In the 1860s, with the invention of steam power, mass production and lower prices became possible. Most cities with more than 25,000 inhabitants probably had an organ factory.

David Allmendinger learned his trade from his future father-in-law, Gottlieb Gaertner, who was a master organ builder from Ludwigsburg, Germany. Gottlieb worked at the Walker Pipe Organ Works and came to the United States in 1867 due to war and cholera in Germany. He moved to Anne Arbor because his sisters had moved there before.

Now starting over with limited funds, Gottlieb begins making reed organs in his garage. He made each part by hand using only basic woodworking and metalworking tools.

By 1871, Gottlieb had grown the business and had 5 employees, one of whom was David Allmendinger.

Gottlieb decides to leave Anne Arbor and becomes a consultant/superintendent for other organ builders in Columbus, Ohio and Erie, Pennsylvania.

David buys equipment from Gottliebs and starts the Ann Arbor Organ Works.
He later marries Gottlieb’s daughter.

By 1888, in order to meet demand, Allmendinger is incorporated and raises $50,000 by selling stock (that’s about $1.3 million today). The company’s name also changed to the Ann Arbor Organ and Piano Company.

By 1910, although Anne Arbor’s population was only 15,000, the company was making 5,000 reed organs and 600 pianos a year and employing 120 people.

With the increasing popularity of the phonograph, coupled with the start of World War I, Allmendinger decides to sell the company in 1915.

The company was purchased by James C. Henderson, who carried on the name but resigned just four years later in 1919.