What and where is this?
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HINT: Jesus built this 100 years ago.
Southside - Tourist Home Cafe
This outdoor patio sits within the remains of one of Flagstaff’s most unique historic sites — the old Basque handball court originally built in 1926 by Jesus Garcia and his mother as part of the Tourist Home boarding house for Basque sheepherders who worked and grazed their flocks in northern Arizona.
Handball (called pilota in Basque) was a beloved traditional game among Basque immigrants, and this court — once a full playing space — is now the only Basque handball court still standing in Arizona and one of the few left in the United States.
Today, the historic wall has been preserved and the former court has been adapted into the patio and outdoor seating area used by Tourist Home Cafe and The Annex Cocktail Lounge, blending Flagstaff’s Basque cultural heritage with a vibrant modern dining experience in the Southside neighborhood.
This is a prime example of "Adaptive Reuse."
Historic Federal Building, Downtown Flagstaff
We support the following Flagstaff Community-based Organizations:
- Hal Jensen Recreation Center
- Friends of Flagstaff's Future https://friendsofflagstaff.org(opens in new tab)
- Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce
- Flagstaff Family YMCA
We support the following Flagstaff Community-based Organizations:
Hal Jensen Recreation Center
Friends of Flagstaff's Future
https://friendsofflagstaff.org
Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce
Flagstaff Family YMCA
1001 N. Turquoise Dr.. Flagstaff, Az 86001
Get In Touch With Albert
About Cara Mia Flagstaff
Cara Mia Flagstaff (nonprofit coming soon) is dedicated to preserving and supporting our community’s character through the "adaptive reuse" of historic buildings such as Flagstaff's Theatrikos Theater (former Flagstaff Public Library), a classic example of "adaptive reuse." We also invest in internship opportunities for students at Northern Arizona University, Coconino Community College and the City of Flagstaff Parks and Recreation Department. With support from matching-gift programs such as Northwestern Mutual’s, donations can have an even greater impact. Our work honors the legacy of our friend Hal Jensen and his many contributions to Flagstaff while supporting Flagstaff Arts And Sports Together (FAAST).
© 2026 Albert Circosta Sr. All Rights Reserved.
