Virginia City in Storey County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Piper’s Opera House

Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 24, 2009

1. Piper’s Opera House Marker

Inscription. This building, the most magnificent vintage theater in the West, was erected by John Piper in 1885. Third in a succession of theatres, which he operated on the Comstock, Piper’s Opera House, with its original scenery, raked stage, and elegant proscenium boxes, is a remarkable survivor of a colorful era in American theatrical history. Many popular nineteenth-century touring stars and concert artists appeared here.
State Historic Marker No. 236
Division of Historic Preservation and Archeology
Louise Z. Driggs

Erected by Division of Historic Preservation and Archeology - Louise Z. Driggs. (Marker Number 236.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Landmarks • Notable Buildings • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 39° 18.66′ N, 119° 39.008′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Nevada, in Storey County. Marker is on B Street near Union Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12 North B Street, Virginia City NV 89440, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Piper’s Opera House (here, next to this marker); The Storey County Jail (within shouting distance

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of this marker); 601's (within shouting distance of this marker); The Glory of Solidarity and Fraternity (within shouting distance of this marker); Storey County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Territorial Enterprise (within shouting distance of this marker); Chinatown (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of International Hotels (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.

Also see . . . Piper’s Opera House. (Submitted on August 28, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Additional commentary.
1. Piper's Opera House - National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 97000217
Significance:
Piper's Opera House is one of the birthplaces of American stage in the west. The first large Virginia City theatre was Topliffe's on C Street, built in 1862. Tom Maguire's D Street Theatre followed the next year, and it was purchased by John Piper in 1868. Destroyed by fire in 1875, he rebuilt on B Street. This second theatre

Piper’s Opera House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 24, 2009

2. Piper’s Opera House

Marker is mounted on the far left pillar at the front of the building.

opened on January 8, 1878. The dress circle, parquet, and gallery seated 900. It, too, burned following a masked ball, on February 13, 1883. Opening in 1885, the third has muslin surfaced walls, once wallpapered, a spring supported floor, and a rake stage. Elizabethan strapwork designs decorate the proscenium arch, highlighted with George Piper's portrait of William Shakespeare. Two-tiered boxes flank the stage and a suspended balcony surrounds the parquet. Performers appearing at Piper's included Maude Adams, Lily Langtry, Edwin Booth, Henry Ward Beecher, Joseph Jefferson, Helen Modjeska, Enrico Caruso, Lillian Russell, E.H. Southern, Houdini, Marie Dressler, Mark Twain, May Robson, Fay Templeton, Lola Montez. David Belasco was stage manager in the early years of his career. Productions ranged from Shakespeare, with "Hamlet" most often presented, to ballet, minstrel shows, musicals and melodramas. Political and social meetings held in Piper's include raffles, lectures, political debates, and religious services. Other entertainment filling the hall in the 19th century were dances, bearfights, and wrestling matches. Between 1907 and its closing in 1929, movies, roller skating and basketball games were held in the theatre.

— Submitted August 28, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

Piper’s Opera House Viewed From C Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 24, 2009

3. Piper’s Opera House Viewed From C Street

Piper’s Opera House Marker image. Click for more information.

Photographed By National Park Service, San Francisco, circa 1939

4. Piper’s Opera House Marker

Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress)
HABS NEV,15-VIRG,17-1
Click for more information.

Photographed By Robert W. Kerrigan, Photographer, circa March 1937

5. Piper's Opera House

Historic American Buildings Survey, (Library of Congress)
HABS NEV,15-VIRG,17-

Piper’s Opera House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 24, 2009

6. Piper’s Opera House and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,243 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on October 25, 2010, by Bryan R. Bauer of Kearns, Ut 84118. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 28, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.