Theses and Dissertations Collection

The Jacobs family moved to Boise in 1864; they already possessed a degree of social and economic affluence, and that position grew with their subsequent social, political, and economic success in the town. The family was part of Boise's highest social tier, and their efforts to maintain that status was reflected in a variety of different behaviors, including consumption. The discovery of the Cyrus Jacobs-Uberuaga House's original, 1864 well prompted the archaeological excavation on which this thesis is based. The nearly 16,000 artifacts recovered during this two-week project were primarily domestic, household refuse. Some of these, particularly the tablewares, toys, household décor, and grooming and toiletry items were used to demonstrate how the Jacobs family used materials to replicate common Victorian ideals as well as perpetuate their social standing within the community of Boise. Archival research supports the conclusions made from archaeological material.