Unbeknownst to many, Boise harbors one of the largest Basque populations outside Spain. European émigrés first arrived in the 1910s to work as Idaho shepherds. Elements of their distinct culture can be glimpsed along Grove St between 6th St and Capitol Blvd.
Sandwiched between the ethnic taverns, restaurants and bars is Basque Museum & Cultural Center a commendable effort to unveil the intricacies of Basque culture and how it was transposed 6000 miles west to Idaho. Language lessons in Euskara, Europe's oldest language, are held here, while next door in the Anduiza Fronton Building there's a Basque handball court where aficionados play the traditional sport of pelota .
