Andrew P. Schow — Inspired Discovery of the Escalante Valley

In 1875, Andrew P. Schow, his brother Thompson Schow, and a small party of explorers were tasked by Erastus Snow to find a suitable location for a new settlement in the remote and largely unexplored 'Potato Valley' region. The party struggled to find a viable route through the broken, desert terrain that could support a permanent colony. Through prayerful seeking and what Schow described as the distinct guidance of the Spirit, the party was led to the specific site of present-day Escalante. Schow later testified that the Lord had prepared the valley for the Saints and had guided their footsteps to the exact location where the community could thrive despite the harsh environment. This discovery led to the formal organization of the Escalante Ward in 1877, where Schow was ordained Bishop.