Preface - read overview
The following is a very brief chronological overview of the involvement of Basques in the exploration, development and settlement of what is now Central America, Mexico, Eastern Canada and the United States.
It is far from complete and, with one exception each, does not include the monumental contributions of Basques in South America the Philippines and other parts of the world.
I found all of the information interesting and some of it quite amazing. However,
when dealing with Basques it shouldn't be so amazing after all, because one is dealing with members of probably the oldest remaining ethnic group in the world. Basques haven't survived these thousands of years because they are weak. They have survived because of the geographic location of their homeland, their fierce loyalty to being Basque, their strong work ethic and their ability to adapt to whatever situation is presented to them.
Out of necessity I have been very brief in my descriptions. I have omitted many interesting side notes but I hope the reader will have their curiosity aroused enough to look into some of the books mentioned below.
This research is the result of being married to a Basque (It builds character, you know). Even though I am not Basque, my wife Judy and her family have welcomed me into their culture as if I were.
Leito eta guztatu,

Steve Bass

• Books worth reading: This is not a complete list but it's a good start. (They're not in any particular order.)
• A Book of the Basques, by Rodney Gallop
• Americanuak, by William A. Douglas and Jon Bilbao
• A Travel Guide to Basque America, by Nancy Zubiri
• Beltran: Basque Sheepman of the American West, by Beltran Paris
• Basques to Bakersfield, by Mary Grace Paquette
• Portraits of Basques in the New World, edited by Richard Etulain and Jeronima Echeverria
• Home Away From Home: A History of Basque Boarding Houses, by Jeronima Echeverria
• The Basque History of the World, by Mark Kurlansky
• Basque Road Trip, Nevada Magazine, August 1998, by Larry Errea and Steve Bass
• Nevada Historical Society, Summer 2000 issue
• Americanuak! Basques in the High Desert,
  High Desert Museum, Bend, OR
  

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in Bakersfield