September 27, 2007
More Money to Repair Thompson Opera House

By Dave Maxwell

Phyllis Robistow, County Grant writer, reported at the Lincoln County Commission meeting September 17 that a State Historic Preservation Office grant application has been made to the Nevada State Historic Preservation office for about $230,000 to help complete renovations on the historic Thompson Opera House in Pioche.

The money will help finish the interior of the building including the stage and lighting, but will not be used to replace the seating and flooring in the Opera House. Money for that will have to come from other sources.

When completed Ms. Robistow said, the county will have a useful building “where we could put on productions.”

Cost of making the complete restoration of the Opera House, which has been going on for about 20 years, will probably be close to $1 Million, making it almost as famous as the Old Courthouse in Pioche.

Built in 1873, the building is one of three 19th century Opera Houses in Nevada, and was damaged heavily by a strong wind storm in 2002 which caved in part of one of the walls.