Early settlers were self-reliant in all things, including entertainment. They would find a place for musical instruments on their trek to the unknown west. Old photos feature pioneers standing around a pump organ in front of a dugout home. Pianos were expensive and difficult to transport. The organ offered an affordable alternative. Some creative souls even placed the organ inside an empty piano case, giving the illusion of owning the rare item. As time passed, pianos and organs went through transition in size and structure making them affordable for the middle class. Examples of this progression can be seen at the Rawlins County Historical Museum in Atwood, Kansas.
Pianos on the Plains
