The Basque Block

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Originally established in 1985, the Basque Museum & Cultural Center was the first museum dedicated to preserving the Basque legacy in the United States. Since its foundation, the museum has aimed to preserve and educate the local community on Basque culture and their history in the American West and more specifically their impact in Boise. With a variety of engaging exhibits and an expansive collection, this museum reflects the cultural and historical significance of the Basque community in Boise.

2. The Cyrus Jacobs-Uberuaga Boarding House

In 1864, a merchant by the name of Cyrus Jacobs built a small brick home for his family in the newly growing city of Boise. The structure was later turned into a Basque boarding house where it provided living quarters for many Basque immigrants throughout its lifetime. Now run by the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, this historic building stands as one of the oldest residential dwellings in Boise and provides a picture of the early Basque experience in Idaho.

3. The Basque Market

Located in the old Grove St. warehouse, the Basque Market was established in 2000 during the development of Boise’s Basque Block. Along with the other Basque business located in the area, the Market aims to preserve traditional Basque cuisine and culture in Boise. Through the variety of Basque foods sold at the market and the cooking classes offered, the Basque Market serves to educate the community and provide quality Basque goods.

4. Leku Ona

In 2005 Leku Ona was opened as a restaurant and boutique hotel on the Basque Block in downtown Boise. They are well known for their traditional Basque menu and small hotel operated out of an old Basque boarding house. Similar to many other buildings on Grove Street, it has a long history in the Basque community and has retained its original purpose over 85 years after its construction.

5. The Basque Center

The Basque Center, originally built in 1949, is a Basque built and owned space dedicated to fostering and preserving Basque culture. Throughout the year, this space is used by the local Basque community for a variety of social events and educational classes designed to inform the surrounding population about Basque culture. This space functions to maintain traditional Basque culture and provide a social space for the preservation of Basque heritage.

6. Arriola's/ Saracondi's Boarding House

Located in the building now recognized as Rise and Grind Nutrition, the Arriola's/ Saracondi’s boarding house provided housing, meals, and place for social gatherings for many early Basque immigrants. Similar to the Anduiza and Uberuaga boarding houses located nearby, it acted as a “home away from home” for many young men entering Boise to work as sheepherders. Although the boarding house is no longer operational, the presence of this historic building in downtown Boise adds to the narrative of the Basque community in Boise.

7. The Basque Mural and Laiak Sculptures

In 2000, two public art pieces were created and added to Boise's Basque Block. The Basque Mural and Laiak sculptures depict different aspects of Basque culture and work to educate the community on the Basque identity in Boise. Both visuals aim to proudly display Basque tradition and culture in the heart of downtown Boise.

8. Bar Gernika

Originally built as a Chinese Laundromat in 1912, the 202 S. Capital Blvd building now houses one of the many Basque owned establishments on Grove street in downtown Boise. In 1991 the historic building was salvaged and adapted into Bar Gernika, a Basque eatery and pub, that serves traditional Basque comfort food. Located next to historic Basque landmarks like the Anduiza Fronton and the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, Bar Gernika preserves traditional Basque foodways and contributes to the Basque legacy in Boise by sharing their cuisine with the local community.

9. Anduiza Fronton and Boarding House

Located on the same street as the Cyrus Jacobs-Uberuaga Boarding House, the Anduiza Hotel and Fronton was built in 1914 to accommodate the large number of Basque men migrating to the United States for work. Originally operating as both a Basque handball court and as a boarding house, the building was modified into office space for an engineering firm for around 30 years before being restored to a fronton in the early 1970’s. This historic building is still operated as a fronton on Boise’s Basque Block where it is open for public use.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

The Basque Block

Created by Basque Museum & Cultural Center on July 17th 2020, 6:53:01 pm.

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Since the early 1900s, Grove St. has been heavily occupied by the Basques who originally immigrated to Boise for work. Through boarding houses, frontons, and a variety of restaurants, the Basques in Boise have been a large part of the community and have had a significant influence over the development of the city. Today, the Basque block consists of multiple businesses and organizations all dedicated to preserving the Basque legacy in Boise. Their services and business help preserve Basque culture and educate the local community on their history and heritage.

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The Basque Block

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