Bing Crosby and the Crosby Alumni HouseGonzaga University

Bing was born Harry Lillis Crosby on May 3, 1903, the fourth child of Harry Lowe and Catherine Helen (Harrigan) Crosby in a house built by his father at 1112 North J Street in Tacoma, Wash. Bing had no birth certificate, and the actual date of his birth was shrouded in mystery until after his death. Even Bing's immediate family assigned at least 3 different years for his birth. During most of his lifetime Bing celebrated May 2, 1904 as his birthdate. After Bing's death in 1977, a Tacoma priest disclosed Roman Catholic Church baptismal records that revealed Bing's actual birthdate. Contemporary newspaper reports of Bing's birth also confirm the date as May 3, 1903. Bing had 4 brothers, Laurence Earl "Larry" (1895-1975), Everett Nathaniel (1896-1966), Edward John "Ted" (1900-1973), and George Robert "Bob" (1913-1993). Bing also had two sisters, Catherine Cordelia (1904-1972) and Mary Rose (1906-1990).

Bing's family moved from Tacoma to Spokane, Wash., in 1906. They rented a house at 303 E. Sinto Ave. Young Harry "Bing" enrolled at Webster Grade School on East Sharp Ave. There Bing developed a friendship with neighbor, Valentine Hobart. The two boys shared an interest in a comic strip called the Bingville Bugle, whose leading character was named Bingo. Bingo had protruding ears like young Crosby, so Valentine began calling Harry "Bingo". This caught on amongst Crosby's other childhood friends. Eventually the name was shortened to "Bing." His mother continued to call him Harry until her death in 1964.

In 1913, the Crosbys moved into a nine-room house at 508 E. Sharp Ave., which they had built for the family. Since 1979, the house has been home to the Gonzaga University Alumni Association. The home/office is open for visitors during the week. Crosby memorabilia is located throughout the home.

"Bing" Crosby graduated from Gonzaga High School in 1920. That fall, he entered Gonzaga College with the intention of becoming a lawyer. While attending Gonzaga he bought a set of mail-order bass drums. Soon, Bing was so good that he was invited to join a local band composed mostly of high school students called "The Musicaladers", managed by Al Ringer. Bing beat the drums and sang with the band for more than a year. He was so successful with the band he decided to drop out of college during his senior year to concentrate on his music career. The Musicaladers played at Lareida's Dance Pavilion on east Sprague, receiving $25 for three nights a week. The band separated at the end of summer, 1925. A couple of months later, Bing and Al Rinkerleft for Los Angeles to enter show business. Withinthree weeks of their arrival in L.A., they joined the vaudeville circuit, singing in movie theatres throughout California. Crosby teamed up with Bob Hope in 1940 and produced the popular "Road" movies. Healso is noted for his performances in movies such as "Bells of St. Mary's", "White Christmas" and "High Society". In 1944, Crosby received an Academy Award for best actor for the film "Going My Way."

Crosby married Wilma W. Wyatt (Dixie Lee) in 1930. They had four sons: Gary, Dennis, Philip, and Lindsay. Dixie died of cancer in 1952. He later married Kathryn Grant in 1957 and had three children, Harry Lillis, Mary Frances, and Nathaniel.

Bing received an honorary doctorate from Gonzaga University in 1937. He retained an interest and affection for his alma mater throughout his life. During his career, Bing contributed to Gonzaga University's library building campaign. Bing and his wife, Kathryn came to Gonzaga in 1957 for the dedication of the Bing Crosby Library. His memorabilia is on display for public viewing in the Crosbyana Room in the Crosby Student Center. This is part of the world's largest public Crosby collection, owned by Gonzaga,including his 1944 Oscar for "Going My Way," gold and platinum records, trophies and awards, photographs, correspondence, news clippings, radio disks, records and cassettes, and other memorabilia. Photographs of Bing and his classmates can also be seen in the University's Administration Building.