Basque Studies Commons^™

Production Of Heritage: The Basque Block In Boise, Idaho, Gretchen Hill

BOGA: Basque Studies Consortium Journal

This article examines the social and economic underpinnings of creating a place for descendants of Basque immigrants by the use of the Basque Block in downtown Boise, Idaho. In the past, unlike other immigrant groups in the United States, Basques lacked the desire to assimilate into the U.S. and remained relatively invisible. Simultaneously, they created subtle ethnic communities and maintained transnational sociospatial ties with Basque Provinces in Europe. Today, these transnational ties are stronger, which has profoundly influenced the creation of the Basque Block. The Basques strive to maintain their heritage landscapes to retain their cultural identity and educate present …