Bing Crosby Theater

Performing arts theater in Spokane, Washington

47°39′25″N 117°25′31″W / 47.65694°N 117.42528°W / 47.65694; -117.42528Public transitSpokane Transit AuthorityOwnerJerry DickerTypeTheatreCapacity756ConstructionBuilt1914Renovated1988ArchitectEdwin W. HoughtonWebsitewww.bingcrosbytheater.com

Clemmer Theater

U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Architectural styleChicago, Classical RevivalNRHP reference No.88002758^[1]Added to NRHPDecember 1, 1988

Bing Crosby Theater is a performing arts theater located in Spokane, Washington which was designed by theater architect Edwin W. Houghton. The theater was originally built in 1914 as an 800-seat movie theater called Clemmer Theater.^[2] Between May and October 1925, local singer Bing Crosby was a regular performer at the theater.^[3]

Over the years the theater fell into disrepair until it was purchased by a local company in 1988 and refurbished. The theater was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in December 1988.^[1] It was re-opened as the Metropolitan Performing Arts Center and was used for concerts, lectures, and movies. The Met was purchased by local businessman Mitch Silver in 2004 and in 2006 renamed after Bing Crosby when a local historian noticed that the city did not have any landmarks named after the multimedia star, who grew up in Spokane.^[4]^[5]

References

^ ^a ^b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
^ Flom, Eric L. (February 22, 2003). "Clemmer Theatre in Spokane opens in 1914". Essay 5273. HistoryLink. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
^ "Bing Crosby. Day By Day". bingmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
^ "Spokane honors most famous hometowner Bing Crosby by naming theater after him". The Associated Press. December 7, 2006. pp. One. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
^ Sowa, Tom (September 29, 2006). "Met Theater will be renamed to honor Bing Crosby". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved October 13, 2014.