Opera house owner John Piper once lived in this two-story, wood-frame Italianate structure on a street overlooking Virginia City. The house has a square bay window next to the front door, which is topped by an arched transom. Shiplap siding, a cornice with brackets and modillions, a paneled frieze, and elaborate door and window surrounds contribute to the Italianate appearance. The current owners recently painted the house yellow with red and black trim, based on what they believe were the original colors. During the mid-twentieth century, writers Lucius Beebe and Charles Clegg lived in the house. Their publications, and especially their resuscitation of the famed newspaper Territorial Enterprise, helped Virginia City to reclaim some of its earlier renown.