Boise in Ada County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
The Chico Club
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 2, 2018
1. The Chico Club Marker
Captions: (bottom left) Grand Opening Invitation, (bottom right) Petra Belaustegui, Manager.
Inscription.
The Chico Club. . “One of the fine new buildings in Boise,” heralded the Idaho Statesman newspaper in 1935, when the Belaustegui Hotel and Basque Boarding House was constructed by Augustin and Petra Belaustegui. A few years later, part of the hotel became “The Chico Club,” which, according to the lease, was for “social and recreational affairs, and not for any other purpose.” The membership fee was $1, followed by annual dues of $1. The club became an important gathering place for both Basque and non-Basque members, men and women alike. Upon opening, the newspaper reported that the building’s owner, Mrs. Patxa Belaustegui, and the club’s managers, her son and daughter Petra and Angel Belaustegui, “entertained a group of 35 guests” and in fine Basque tradition, provided a meal featuring “barbecued lamb,” and of course, included dancing. It is appropriate that the Chico Club building heralds entry to the Basque Block from downtown Boise - echoing a sense of community that has existed on this street for generations.
“One of the fine new buildings in Boise,” heralded the Idaho Statesman newspaper in 1935, when the Belaustegui Hotel & Basque Boarding House was constructed by Augustin and Petra Belaustegui. A few years later, part of the hotel became “The Chico Club,” which, according to the lease, was for “social and recreational affairs, and not for any other purpose.” The membership fee was $1, followed by annual dues of $1. The club became an important gathering place for both Basque and non-Basque members, men and women alike. Upon opening, the newspaper reported that the building’s owner, Mrs. Patxa Belaustegui, and the club’s managers, her son and daughter Petra and Angel Belaustegui, “entertained a group of 35 guests” and in fine Basque tradition, provided a meal featuring “barbecued lamb,” and of course, included dancing. It is appropriate that the Chico Club building heralds entry to the Basque Block from downtown Boise - echoing a sense of community that has existed on this street for generations.
Erected by Basque Museum and Cultural Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.
Location. 43° 36.831′ N, 116° 12.118′
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W. Marker is in Boise, Idaho, in Ada County. Marker is at the intersection of South 6th Street and Grove Street, on the right when traveling south on South 6th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 117 South 6th Street, Boise ID 83702, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2018. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 336 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 24, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
