San Francisco Basque Cultural Center, Inc.

The San Francisco Basque Cultural Center was opened in 1982 by the Basques of the Bay Area, after they lost the place where they played pelota. For decades they had played on Sundays against the back wall of a bowling alley at Broadway and Larkin, in San Francisco, until at the end of 1978 the building was sold to be torn down. Several city councils refused to authorise a new fronton, and the community organised itself: they lent and gave one another money, in 1979 they set up the corporation, and in 1982 they opened the centre in South San Francisco, with 378 founding members. Its hallmark is the 36-metre indoor kantxa for pelota, and its restaurant has received Zagat awards and recognition from the local Chamber of Commerce. The Basque Government has recognised it since 1997, and its register credits it with 259 members.