Piper's Opera House Playbills and Tickets

Piper's Opera House was not the first theater established in Virginia City, Nevada, but it was the most enduring. Piper's began as Maguire's Opera House which opened in the summer of 1863 and was located on D Street. It was a leader among theaters in Virginia City; all the major stars and companies played exclusively in this house. John and Henry Piper took over Maguire's on October 9, 1867 with financial support from John W. Mackay; they changed the name to Piper's Opera House. John Piper was formerly a German saloon keeper with no theatrical management experience but he was very successful in his new profession. Under his direction the popular entertainment venue offered melodramas, burlesque, light comedies, variety and minstrel shows, and classical dramas. Nationally known actors, actresses, and theater companies made their appearances, as well as regional and local talent.

Piper's first years of success were ended by the great fire of October 26, 1875 which destroyed more than 2,000 buildings in Virginia City's business district. Piper's was one of the first buildings destroyed and it represented a heavy financial loss to Piper. It was not until January 29, 1878 that John Piper opened his second opera house at a cost of $40,000 but soon it was considered the home of drama in Virginia City. This second structure was also destroyed by fire, on March 13, 1883. Piper rented Cooper's Hall and reopened several nights later. Thanks to popular performances, he was able to build his third opera house, which opened May 4, 1885. Classical tragedies, popular comedies, melodramas, musical comedies, and light operas proved popular with audiences and dominated the venue.

Piper leased the newly built McKissick's Opera House in 1888, as well as the Carson Opera House, and established a chain of theaters around which touring house companies could be sent. He managed all of these enterprises until his death in 1897, after which his son Edward Piper continued the business. Edward and other family members managed the theater until 1924 when the theater closed. Today, the building is being renovated with a plan to begin theatrical performances once again.