The John and Mary Grete House

Across Washington Street and to the west, you'll see a white and green two-story house. Dr. Joseph Rupert built this house in 1872. Roughly 1800 square feet, 30-feet wide and 30 feet deep with two floors, the house features 11-foot ceilings on the ground floor, five bedrooms, a parlor, dining room, and kitchen. 

Dr. Rupert was an important figure in the early days of Silver City with involvement in many businesses, community, and local government activities. By trade Dr. Rupert was a druggist, starting one of the first drug stores in Silver City.

John Grete purchased the house in 1892 and the house remains with his descendents today. John and Mary Grete came to Silver in 1864. A few years later John’s brother Fred and Mary’s sister Wilhelmina joined their siblings here. 

John tried mining for a time but soon started a bakery and then a brewery with his brother Fred until he purchased the War Eagle hotel in 1878. The War Eagle stood at the north end of Washington street.  John and Mary raised six children in Silver City. John died in 1902.  Mary died in the house in 1913 after a game of cards.  Both are buried at the Silver City Cemetery. 

John and Mary's son, John Grete Jr, continued to live in the house with his daughter off and on until 1943 when he served as the Owyhee County coroner. John was one of the last residents of Silver. He died in the house after a morning of fishing on Jordan Creek. From 1943 until 1990 the house sat vacant and fell into disrepair. It was nearly lost in 1972 when the original shingle roof collapsed during the winter. Restoration began in 1991 by descendants of John and Mary and it continues today.