John Piper came to Virginia City in 1860. Around 1862 he purchased a building on B street, built of bricks and brown mortar for a business office, that eventually became known as Piper's Business Block and now forms the front lobby of the present Piper's Opera House. Typical of the busies men in Virginia, the thriving, hot spot for making money at every turn, Piper owned several businesses. Around 1864, he purchased the Maguire's Opera House on D street and entered into the venue and promotions business.

Piper's Opera House #I (Maguire's) burned down in the Great Fire of 1875. The town - including Piper's - was rebuilt by the mining barons. This photo shows Piper's Opera House #II, built in the new location on the corner of B Street and Union. #II was completed in January of 1878.

Opera House #II, probably the most opulent of all the Piper's Opera Houses, again suffered the fate of the match and burned to the ground in 1883. With Virginia City on the down hill run, Piper had little interest in rebuilding the grand theater. But persuaded by townfolk, he began construction - using mostly wood left over from the burned #II and abandoned mines - and finished Piper's opera House #III in 1885. It still stands today.

Piper's Opera House Programs, Inc. a non-profit corporation, purchased the Opera House from the great-great granddaughter of John Piper, Louise Zimmer Driggs, in 1997. The Opera House is being restored through funds donated by the supporting membership and grants from the Nevada State Commission on Cultural Affairs. The purchase was made possible in part by a rural development loan from the United Stated Department of Agriculture.
The first stage of restoration was the addition of a new roof. Considerable structural reinforcement was required.
Next was the installation of a sprinkler system, fire alarm system and heating system.
This past summer we completed two temporary ADA compliant restrooms and resided the exterior walls of the main auditorium.
This winter we will be rebuilding two pairs of the front doors, thanks to generous donations from Sierra Pacific, TRW in Lockwood, The Hawkins Foundation and support from the Nevada State Commission on Cultural Affairs under the direction of Ron James.

We will be continually adding to this site. To see more photos of Piper's, visit the Photo Gallery.

If you have questions, please send e-mail to .

Copyright 1999 by Clarity Publications