12.- The Central Valleys

12.1 KERN COUNTY, 1880
To the northeast of Los Angeles, Bakersfield and the Kern County enjoy a large Basque population. As we all know, the American census asks citizens what their ethnic origin is, however, the census itself did not separate "Basque" from French and Spanish until 1980. Regardless, in the 1880 census a Kern County youth, Alphonso Carrere, at seventeen years of age, declared with pride his Basque nationality. At this time there were already Basques settled in the city, although many others continued to work as herders.

12.2 ACTIVITIES IN BAKERSFIELD
Even though the first Basque hotel in the Bakersfield area dates from 1893, the club did not appear until the mid-20th century. The current site of the Kern County Basque Club in Bakersfield was acquired in 1974 and embraces a large area, which includes the assembly hall, the pelota court, the bar, a park fitted for open-air events, and an extensive parking lot. Five hundred families belong to the club that maintains several dance groups, a klika, and other activities. Kern County is also proud of the half dozen Basque establishments that are included in its list of most popular restaurants.

12.3 MORE THAN A CENTURY TOGETHER
The city of Fresno, one hundred and seventy kilometers north to Bakersfield, celebrated its first centenary in 1985. Among those taking part in the centennial parade were the dance group of the local Euskal Etxea. The dantzaris were truly commemorating the close Basque tie with local history.

12.4 FRESNO HOTELS
Around 1860 Bernardo Altube, who arrived in California during the Gold Rush, had set up a ranching business. Fresno was not different from other towns in California, and a Basque district took shape. Here the Hotel Bascongado was set up in 1897-1898, the first of the not less than ten hotels that the city has had at various times. Later there was the Fresno Hotel, the Hotel des Pyrenees, the Spanio, the Santa Fe, the Laxague, the Victoria, the Basque, the Villanueva, and the Yturri. Two survive today, namely the Santa Fe (1926) and the Basque (1929). The buildings are recognized as historic and are accorded protection in the federal and state registers respectively. The local Euskal Etxea was founded in February 1978, and its dance group was active two months later. The club organizes various cultural activities for younger people.

12.5 LOS BANOS CLUB, 1964
One hundred and ten kilometers to the northeast is the town of Los Banos. With a long Basque tradition, in 1964 it was decided to form the Los Banos Basque Club. About two hundred and seventy families were members, among them those of the Iturbide brothers, owners of the Wool Growers, the local and historic Basque hotel set up in 1925. Since 1974 Michel and Gabriel Iturbide have operated it as a restaurant only.