MAYOR BING CROSBY

A famous photograph of Bing Crosby and Elko Mayor Dave Dotta appeared in newspapers and magazines world wide in 1948. Dotta is supervising Crosby while the singer/actor sweeps the street in front of the Ranch Inn at Ninth and Idaho streets.

Crosby bought several ranches in the North Fork area and spent summers there to get away from his hectic schedule. His first family, wife Dixie, and four sons Gary, Philip, Lindsay and Dennis shared those times with Bing.

He frequently came to town where he was treated just like one of the locals. In fact, he was so comfortable in Elko he didn't wear his hair piece. He became one of "us," not one of "them." It was a place where he could literally let his hair down and he sincerely appreciated his acceptance by the townspeople.

Crosby, in his book, Call Me Lucky, said he wasn't asked for an autograph, to give to a charity, do a benefit appearance, or to do anything but "mind my own business." Bing fit right in.

He loved the town and the town loved "Der Bingle." As a publicity stunt, but an appropriately serious one, Bing was asked to be Honorary Mayor of Elko and he accepted.

February 7, 1948 was the big day. Ceremonies were held at the Ranch Inn and the Commercial Hotel.

Mayor Dotta read the declaration: "In humble recognition of your outstanding contributions to high standards of American citizenship, sportsmanship, clean living, parenthood, et. al.; and finally your substantial additions to community life in the City and County of Elko, I am privileged and proud to herewith appoint you by official proclamation, Honorary Mayor of Elko, Nevada to serve ad infinitum. We are grateful that you have seen fit to accept this honor."


Elko Mayor Dave Dotta presents the Key to the City at the ceremony designating Bing Crosby (without his hair piece) Honorary Mayor of Elko on February 7, 1948. Photo from the Northeastern Nevada Museum Collections.

Dotta told Bing that the townspeople would make sure the singer carried out his duties which included getting the snow plows out, directing traffic, and street cleaning. His training began immediately and that's when the famous photograph was snapped.

In his acceptance speech, he promised to close down all the saloons - but not until everybody was inside.

Bing Crosby remained Honorary Mayor of Elko until 1977 when he died of a heart attack in Spain following a round of golf. Elkoans sincerely mourned the loss to the town and to the world. Part of his limitless acting and musical legacy was his 1944 Academy Award for Best Actor (Going My Way) and for White Christmas, the song forever associated with him, the 1942 Academy Award for Best Song. But in town, he was just Bing...

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BING'S ELKO BLUE SURGE DAY

Bing was and is a big part of Elko, Nevada and its history. Here is a day set aside for Bing in 1951. It is a pretty interesting advertisement...

BING CROSBY: A TRUE NEVADAN

Here is a really great article I found. I have never been out west, but this article makes me want to visit Nevada. Bing truly fell in love with the area...

How many of you have heard of a show called “The American Sportsman,” hosted by Curt Gowdy? If your family was like mine, the show was a ‘must watch’ on Sundays. My favorite episode was when Curt Gowdy, Bing Crosby and Phil Harris went dove hunting in Africa. Most people knew Bing Crosby as a famous singer and actor, perhaps best remembered for his beautiful version of “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.” But most don’t know that Bing Crosby was an avid hunter and fly fisherman, and even fewer knew him as an Elko cattle and horse rancher.

Bing bought his first Elko ranch in 1943 and purchased a total of seven in the Elko area, the 7 J’s, Circle S, PX and the Spring Creek Ranch were among Bing’s favorites. 

Bing bought the ranches not only as an investment, and a place to go hunting and fishing, but it was Bing’s plan that his three sons would learn the ranching trade and eventually take over the ranches. It was his hope that working on the ranch would keep the boys from becoming spoiled Hollywood brats and keep them out of show business.

When Bing wasn’t in Hollywood, Elko was his home for over 15 years.

He was always there for his community and neighbors so much so that in 1948 Bing was made honorary mayor of Elko. He was the first person in Nevada history to be made an honorary mayor. When Elko honored Bing as mayor, they decided to make the ceremony into a three day event, which raised over 10,000 dollars for the Elko hospital. That same year, after a 13 year hiatus, Bing was instrumental in promoting the now annual Silver State Stampede Rodeo in Elko.

Bing helped many Elko businesses through-out the years, but when he premiered his “Here comes the Groom” movie in Elko it brought people from all over the world. The movie event literally put Elko on the map.

Personally, Bing thought one of the biggest honors he ever received was when he was made the first and only adopted member of the Shoshone-Paiute tribes in Owyhee, Nevada, By the way, I found out the correct pronunciation is “o-wa-hee.” Bing had a ranch in the area that he visited frequently and helped the tribe on many occasions; he admired the tribe and its people for their hard working, independent character. When Bing was adopted into their tribe, they gave him a new name; Bing became “Man of many songs.” Bing was not an emotional man, but on this day, he was so honored, it was one of the few times Bing Crosby ever cried.

Although Bing’s sons did work as ranch hands for many years the lure of Hollywood finally was too much for the boys and none of them became Elko ranchers.

When Bing’s beloved wife Dixie died in 1952, his interest in northern Nevada dwindled and he sold all his ranch properties in 1958. He truly loved Nevada, but he had shared all of his Nevada memories with Dixie and returning only reminded him how much he missed her.

Bing left his mark on northern Nevada in a big way. Bing Crosby was a true American sportsman and a proud Nevadan...

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