Filled with century-old buildings and reminders of the Comstock, there’s definitely a lot of history to uncover in the town of Virginia City. You never know exactly what you’ll uncover when you pay this lively town a visit, but you can rest assured there’s always something to explore. Piper’s Opera House is just one of many historic gems in this incredible town and it’s definitely worth a visit. First opened in 1885, this historic attraction has a lot of fascinating stories to tell!
Built in the 1880s to attract famous stars from all over the world, Piper's Opera House is a historic performing arts venue in the town of Virginia City. Not only is this opera house still standing, but it's in fantastic condition and open to be explored!
Today, Piper's Opera House is one of the most significant vintage theaters in the country. Built in 1885, the opera house is actually the third that was constructed by a German immigrant named John Piper. The previous two were both destroyed in fires, but the third one stuck.
Virginia City may seem like a sleepy small town today, but it was livelier than ever during the days of the Comstock Lode. The opera house was constructed to entertain the 25,000 people that called the town home back then. Although it was called an "opera house", it didn't specifically cater to opera and was more of a live music hall.
Eventually, the town's population dwindled, but the opera house was able to survive for some time by serving as a movie theater, roller rink, and even a gym. However, it was officially condemned in 1920 and would sit vacant for decades.
Significant restoration would finally take place no the opera house in the late 1960s by Piper's very own great granddaughter, Louise Zimmer Driggs. It even opened back up as an active theater and music venue for a short time before closing down in the 1980s due to financial woes. But don't fret, the Piper Opera House was sold to a nonprofit in 1997 who would continue restoration and open this beautiful structure up to the public once again.
These days, Piper's Opera House is a fully-functioning performing arts center. If you can't make it to a show, you can always drop by during the day for a public tour and a glimpse at the small museum inside. The museum showcases small items from the opera house's past, like ticket stubs and old concessions wrappers.
The next time you're strolling the old boardwalks of Virginia City, be sure to stop by Piper's Opera House for a look at one of the town's most significant historical structures. This opera house has seen a lot over the years and it's an awesome glimpse at the town's rugged past.
