Beyond the Silver and Gold: Investigations into the Capitalist Network of Downtown Aurora, Nevada from 1860 to 1864

As one of the initial boomtowns in Nevada, Aurora had an impact on the capitalistic system of Nevada. Aurora has a rich documentary record with which to reference. Using documentary archaeology, this thesis will document the existing businesses in the Study Area, categorizing them based on the goods and services they provide. Second, it assesses customer base of the businesses, determining the composition of the intended clientele. Lastly, the study identifies the owners and employees of these businesses, developing a demographic profile that includes an analysis of social identity categories such as gender, ethnicity, religion, and race. This aspect aims to explore how these identity categories influenced their engagement with the capitalist framework of Aurora, particularly in terms of business operations and potential exclusionary practices. Through this multifaceted examination, the research seeks to uncover the dynamics between business ownership, social identity, and customer interactions within the commercial landscape of downtown Aurora.

Level thesis:degree_level

M.A.

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Howard, Alexandra

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• White, Carolyn

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Cowie, Sarah
• Clark, Jessie

• Consumerism
• Documentary archaeology
• Industrial capitalism
• Social Identity

Language dc:language.iso

en_US, English

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://scholarwolf.unr.edu/handle/11714/11205

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarwolf.unr.edu:11714/11205