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]

Bing Crosby Theater
Map
Former namesClemmer Theater,
State Theater,
Metropolitan Performing Arts Center
Address901 West Sprague Avenue
LocationSpokane, Washington, U.S.
Coordinates47°39′25″N 117°25′31″W / 47.65694°N 117.42528°W / 47.65694; -117.42528
Public transitSpokane Transit Authority
OwnerJerry Dicker
TypeTheatre
Capacity756
Construction
Built1914
Renovated1988
ArchitectEdwin W. Houghton
Website
www.bingcrosbytheater.com
Clemmer Theater
Architectural styleChicago, Classical Revival
NRHP reference No.88002758[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 1, 1988

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

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