Editing Escalante, Utah

{{short description|City in Utah, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Escalante, Utah
| settlement_type    = [[City (Utah)|City]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = A646, Escalante, Utah, United States, 2016.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Escalante and the [[Straight Cliffs Formation|Straight Cliffs]] from the north
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = 
<!-- Maps -->
| image_map          = Garfield County Utah incorporated and unincorporated areas Escalante highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 270px
| map_caption        = Location in [[Garfield County, Utah|Garfield County]] and state of [[Utah]]

<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = State
| subdivision_name1  = [[Utah]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Garfield County, Utah|Garfield]]

<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Mayor Melani Torgersen
| leader_title1      = Town Clerk
| leader_name1       = Stephanie Steed
| established_title  = Settled
| established_date   = 1875<ref name=website />
| founder            = 
| named_for          = [[Silvestre Vélez de Escalante]]

<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_49.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 8.55
| area_land_km2      = 8.55
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi   = 3.30
| area_land_sq_mi    = 3.30
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 786
| population_density_km2 = 93.33
| population_density_sq_mi = 241.74

<!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain (MST)]]
| utc_offset         = -7
| timezone_DST       = MDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -6
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 5820
| elevation_m        = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|37|46|13|N|111|36|8|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 84726
| area_code          = [[Area code 435|435]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 49-23750<ref name=gazetteer />
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2410452<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410452}}</ref>
| blank2_name        = [[State highways in Utah|State Routes]]
| blank2_info        = [[File:Utah 12.svg|20px|link=Utah State Route 12]]
| website            = {{URL|www.escalantecity-utah.com}}
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 2019
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse"/>
| population_est     = 798
}}

'''Escalante''' ({{IPAc-en|local|ˌ|ɛ|s|k|ə|ˈ|l|æ|n|t|(|i|)|audio=En-us-escalante.ogg}}) is a city in central [[Garfield County, Utah|Garfield County]], [[Utah]], United States, located along [[Utah State Route 12|Utah Scenic Byway 12]] (SR-12) in the south-central part of the state. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], 786 people were living in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Escalante_city,_Utah?g=160XX00US4923750 |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

The city is named after [[Silvestre Vélez de Escalante]], a [[Franciscan]] [[missionary]] and a member of the first European expedition into what is now southern Utah.<ref name=website />

The nearest towns are [[Boulder, Utah|Boulder]] which is {{convert|27|mi}} to the northeast on SR-12, and [[Henrieville, Utah|Henrieville]], which is {{convert|30|mi}} to the southwest on SR-12.

The [[Escalante Petrified Forest State Park]] is located west of the city. Sections of the [[Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument]] (GSENM) abut much of the [[city limits|city's limits]]. The [[Hole in the Rock Trail|Hole-in-the-Rock Road]], which begins {{convert|5|mi|km|abbr=on}} east of Escalante, is the main access road into the eastern section of GSENM. The road leads to the [[Canyons of the Escalante]], the [[Devils Garden (Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument)|Devils Garden]] and the [[Hole in the Rock (rock formation)|Hole-in-the-Rock]].

==History==
In 1776, Silvestre Vélez de Escalante and [[Francisco Atanasio Domínguez]] left [[Santa Fe, New Mexico]] attempting to find a route to the missions of [[California]]. The ''[[Dominguez–Escalante Expedition]]'' followed a route north through western Colorado, west across central Utah, and then southwest through what is now called the [[Escalante Desert]], finally circling back to the east after reaching Arizona near the north rim of the [[Grand Canyon]]. They returned to Santa Fe having never entered California or the areas near the city of Escalante.<ref name=expedition /> In 1866; Captain James Andrus led members of the Southern Utah militia through the Escalante area during the [[Black Hawk War (Utah)|Black Hawk Indian War]]. The valley east of the Escalante Mountains, where the city of Escalante is located, was named ''Potato Valley'' since the group had found wild potatoes growing there.<ref name=website />

[[File:A419, Escalante, Utah, USA, Utah State Route 12, Main Street at 200 West Street, brick house, 2016.jpg|thumb|left|Brick house on Main Street]]
Settlers from [[Panguitch, Utah|Panguitch]] first visited the area in the 1870s, where they met members of the [[John Wesley Powell]] expedition. The settlement was named based on a suggestion of Powell's group to honor Escalante even though the expedition had not traveled into the valley. In June 1875, the settlers returned to survey the valley. Twenty-acre parcels were staked out for farming while city lots were also marked. After a winter spent back in Panguitch, the settlers returned, and the first home was built in March 1876 by William Alvey. The first settlers built many homes using native bricks, and as a result, those homes are still standing today.<ref name=website /><ref name=history /><ref name=twnet />

The primary industries of the new settlement of Escalante were cattle and sheep [[ranching]], [[dairy farming]], [[logging]] and [[mining]]. Farming and ranching continue to drive the local economy today, along with increasing tourist-related activities. In the 1930s, the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] (CCC) built improved roads to Posey Lake and [[Boulder, Utah|Boulder]]. Federal government management of large tracts of surrounding lands had begun, and stricter regulation of public lands combined with limited private land resources caused many people to leave Escalante in the 1940s.<ref name=twnet />

{{multiple image
| header    = Main Street, [[Utah State Route 12|SR-12]]<br/>view west and east
| align     = left
| direction = horizontal
| image1    = A417, Escalante, Utah, USA, Utah State Route 12, Main Street at Center Street, looking west, 2016.jpg
| width1    = 140
| image2    = A418, Escalante, Utah, USA, Utah State Route 12, Main Street at Center Street, looking east, 2016.jpg
| width2    = 140
}}
The exodus to look for work in larger communities resulted in a loss of 33% of the population by the 1950 census. The population continued to decline through the next two decades, dropping to as low as 638 people, leaving only 15 more people than in the very first census in 1880. An increase of 25% by the 1990 census was followed by no change in the 2000 census and a slight decline in the 2010 census.<ref name=census />

Since the [[Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument]] (GSENM) was established in 1996, Escalante has seen a large increase in the number of tourists, especially in the spring through fall months. A survey taken from March to October 2004 by Utah State University claims that the BLM has an estimated 600,000 visitors to various parts of GSENM, many of whom pass through Escalante.<ref name=visitation />

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=right
|1880= 623
|1890= 667
|1900= 723
|1910= 846
|1920= 1032
|1930= 1016
|1940= 1161
|1950= 773
|1960= 702
|1970= 638
|1980= 652
|1990= 818
|2000= 818
|2010= 797
|estyear=2019
|estimate=798
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
As of the 2010 census, 797 people, 334 households, and 217 families lived in the city. The [[population density]] was 271 people per square mile (105/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 420 housing units at an average density of 143 per square mile (55/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|racial makeup]] was 95.4% White, 2.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Black, 0.1% Native Hawaiian, 1.5% from other races, 0.3% from mixed racial ancestry and 3.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.<ref name=census />

There were 334 households, out of which 22.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.39, and the average family size was 3.03.<ref name=census />

The population was spread out, with 22.1% under 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 9.7% from 25 to 34, 17.7% from 35 to 49, 24.2% from 50 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.6 males.<ref name=census />

The median yearly income for a household was $38,929, and the median income for a family was $48,654. Males had a median income of $51,223 versus $27,500 for females. The [[per capita income]] was $27,648. About 14.5% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the [[Poverty threshold|poverty line]] ($11,490 for a single person household as of 2013<ref name=povery />) including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 25.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=income />

==Geography==
[[File:The Straight Cliffs from Escalante (3684299855).jpg|thumb|Straight Cliffs of the [[Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument]] from Escalante]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 2.944&nbsp;square miles (7.625&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), all land.<ref name=gazetteer />

The mountains surround Escalante, cliffs, flats, [[Arroyo (watercourse)|washes]] and [[sandstone]] canyons of the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument (GSENM) and the [[Dixie National Forest]].<ref name=map />

The city lies within the Potato Valley as designated on the official USGS map. The [[Escalante River]] flows from the west, passing by the north side of the city and continuing eastward by an area named Big Flat. To the southeast of the city is the [[Canyons of the Escalante]], the eastern part of GSENM, while directly south of the city is the Straight Cliffs formation which runs south-southeast to [[Lake Powell]]. The [[Kaiparowits Plateau]], the middle part of GSENM, lies to the south and southwest of the city. To the city's west are the Dixie National Forest and the Escalante Mountains. To the city's north is a small part of GSENM, as well as the [[Box-Death Hollow Wilderness]] and the [[Aquarius Plateau]], which are parts of the Dixie National Forest.<ref name=geo />

==Climate==
Escalante has a cold [[semi-arid]] ([[steppe]]) climate, type "BSk" in the [[Köppen climate classification]] system. Average yearly precipitation is {{convert|10.56|in|mm|abbr=on}} with most precipitation occurring from July to October with a peak in August of {{convert|1.64|in|mm|abbr=on}}. The driest month is June with an average of {{convert|0.40|in|mm|abbr=on}}. Snow falls mainly from November to April, with trace amounts occurring in October. The average yearly snowfall total is {{convert|25.5|in|cm|abbr=on}}.

Daytime high to nighttime low-temperature ranges are approximately 26&nbsp;°F (14&nbsp;°C) in the winter months to 37&nbsp;°F (20&nbsp;°C) in midsummer. July has the warmest average high temperatures at {{convert|92.3|°F|°C|abbr=on}} while January has the coldest average low temperatures at {{convert|18.8|°F|°C|abbr=on}}. The highest recorded temperature from 1901 to 2021 was {{convert|106|°F|°C|abbr=on}} on July 9, 2021,<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=slc| title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]| accessdate = July 13, 2021}}</ref> and the lowest recorded temperature was {{convert|-22|°F|°C|abbr=on}} on January 22, 1937.

The current weather forecast is available in the [[#External links|''External links'']] section.

{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Escalante 1991-2020 normals, extremes 1901-
|single line = Y
| Jan high F = 43.1
| Feb high F = 48.0
| Mar high F = 58.0
| Apr high F = 65.5
| May high F = 75.5
| Jun high F = 87.1
| Jul high F = 92.3
| Aug high F = 89.1
| Sep high F = 81.3
| Oct high F = 68.3
| Nov high F = 53.8
| Dec high F = 42.9
|year high F = 67.1
| Jan low F = 18.8
| Feb low F = 23.3
| Mar low F = 29.3
| Apr low F = 34.8
| May low F = 41.9
| Jun low F = 50.0
| Jul low F = 57.1
| Aug low F = 55.5
| Sep low F = 47.4
| Oct low F = 36.8
| Nov low F = 26.4
| Dec low F = 18.8
|year low F = 36.7
|Jan record high F = 68
|Feb record high F = 76
|Mar record high F = 81
|Apr record high F = 88
|May record high F = 98
|Jun record high F = 105
|Jul record high F = 106
|Aug record high F = 104
|Sep record high F = 101
|Oct record high F = 92
|Nov record high F = 78
|Dec record high F = 69
|year record high F = 
|Jan record low F = -22
|Feb record low F = -21
|Mar record low F = 2
|Apr record low F = 10
|May record low F = 23
|Jun record low F = 25
|Jul record low F = 38
|Aug record low F = 32
|Sep record low F = 16
|Oct record low F = 10
|Nov record low F = -3
|Dec record low F = -20
|year record low F = 
|precipitation colour = green 
| Jan precipitation inch = 1.03
| Feb precipitation inch = 0.94
| Mar precipitation inch = 0.75
| Apr precipitation inch = 0.45
| May precipitation inch = 0.59
| Jun precipitation inch = 0.40
| Jul precipitation inch = 1.02
| Aug precipitation inch = 1.64
| Sep precipitation inch = 1.28
| Oct precipitation inch = 1.26
| Nov precipitation inch = 0.52
| Dec precipitation inch = 0.68
|year precipitation inch = 10.56
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 4.3
| Feb precipitation days = 4.9
| Mar precipitation days = 4.0
| Apr precipitation days = 3.9
| May precipitation days = 4.3
| Jun precipitation days = 2.7
| Jul precipitation days = 6.9
| Aug precipitation days = 9.8
| Sep precipitation days = 6.0
| Oct precipitation days = 4.3
| Nov precipitation days = 2.6
| Dec precipitation days = 3.9
| year precipitation days = 57.6
|Jan snow inch = 8.9
|Feb snow inch = 5.8
|Mar snow inch = 2.2
|Apr snow inch = 1.4
|May snow inch = 0
|Jun snow inch = 0
|Jul snow inch = 0
|Aug snow inch = 0
|Sep snow inch = 0
|Oct snow inch = 0.1
|Nov snow inch = 1.9
|Dec snow inch = 5.2
|year snow inch = 25.5
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 2.6
|Feb snow days = 2.6
|Mar snow days = 1.0
|Apr snow days = 0.3
|May snow days = 0
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 0.1
|Nov snow days = 0.6
|Dec snow days = 2.2
|year snow days = 9.4
|source 1 = NOAA<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=slc
| title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = August 25, 2021
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00422592&format=pdf
| title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = August 25, 2021
}}</ref> }}

==See also==
{{portal|Utah}}
* [[List of municipalities in Utah]]

==References==
{{reflist|refs=

<ref name=website>
{{cite web
|title=Official website - Escalante History
|url=http://www.escalantecity-utah.com/about-us/escalante-history/
|publisher=Escalante city
|date=n.d.
|access-date=30 Jan 2020}}
</ref>

<ref name=history>
{{cite web
|title=Escalante and Boulder - About Us - History
|url=http://www.escalanteut.com/about-us/history/
|publisher=Escalante/Boulder Chamber of Commerce
|year=2014
|access-date=22 Apr 2014}}
</ref>

<ref name=gazetteer>
{{cite web
|title=Census.gov -> Geography -> Gazetteer -> 2013 U.S. Gazetteer Files -> Places -> Utah
|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/gazetteer/2013_Gazetteer/2013_gaz_place_49.txt
|publisher=U.S. Department of Commerce / U.S. Census Bureau
|year=2013
|access-date=15 Nov 2013}}
</ref>

<ref name=census>
{{cite web
|title=U.S. Census website
|url=https://www.census.gov
|publisher=U.S. Department of Commerce / U.S. Census Bureau
|year=2010
|access-date=15 Nov 2013}}
</ref>

<ref name=expedition>
{{cite web
 |title       = A History of Southwestern Colorado (including the Dominguez-Escalante Expedition)
 |url         = http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/blm/co/10/chap3.htm
 |publisher   = U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
 |access-date  = 16 Nov 2013
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20101218235149/http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/blm/co/10/chap3.htm
 |archive-date = 2010-12-18
}}
</ref>

<ref name=twnet>
{{cite web
|title=Human History In Escalante
|url=http://www.travelwest.net/escalante-history
|publisher=TravelWest.net
|access-date=1 Dec 2013}}
</ref>

<ref name=visitation>
{{cite web
|title=Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument survey - visitation number on page 31 of PDF file
|url=http://travel.utah.gov/documents/GS-ENM-ImportanceofTourismResearch5-17-07.pdf
|publisher=Utah State University
|date=22 May 2007
|access-date=16 Nov 2013}}
</ref>

<ref name=map>
{{cite web
 |title       = GSENM Travel Map
 |url         = https://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/blm/ut/grand_staircase-escalante/photos/gsenm_visitor_information.Par.44429.File.dat/GSENM_Brochure_map_%202016.jpg
 |publisher   = [[Bureau of Land Management|BLM]]
 |date        = 1 Mar 2016
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20161114034904/https://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/blm/ut/grand_staircase-escalante/photos/gsenm_visitor_information.Par.44429.File.dat/GSENM_Brochure_map_%202016.jpg
 |archive-date = 14 November 2016
 |url-status     = dead
 |access-date  = 26 Dec 2016
}}
</ref>

<ref name=geo>
{{cite web
|title=USGS topographic map
|url=http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/?q=37.769444,-111.601389
|publisher=[[USGS]]
|access-date=1 Dec 2013}}
</ref>

<ref name=povery>
{{cite web|
title=Office of the Federal Register, Poverty Guidelines
|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/01/24/2013-01422/annual-update-of-the-hhs-poverty-guidelines#t-1
|publisher=U.S. Health and Human Services Department
|date=24 Jan 2013
|access-date=15 Nov 2013}}
</ref>

<ref name=income>
{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website
|url=https://www.census.gov
|publisher=U.S. Department of Commerce / U.S. Census Bureau
|year=2010
|access-date=15 Nov 2013}}
</ref>

<!-- Not in use
<ref name=Peel>
{{cite journal
| author=Peel, M. C.
| author2=Finlayson, B. L.
| author3=McMahon, T. A.
| name-list-style=amp
| title=Updated world map of the Köppen&ndash;Geiger climate classification
| journal=Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.
| year=2007
| volume=11
| issue=5
| pages=1633–1644
| doi=10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007
| bibcode=2007HESS...11.1633P
| url=http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.html
| issn=1027-5606| doi-access=free
}}
''(PDF file: [http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf Final Revised Paper (pg.4 of PDF file; pg.1636 of full report)])''
</ref>
Not in use-->

}}

==Further reading==
* (1994) [https://web.archive.org/web/20240321165250/https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/e/ESCALANTE.shtml "Escalante"] article in the [https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/ ''Utah History Encyclopedia.''] The article was written by Marilyn Jackson and the Encyclopedia was published by the University of Utah Press. ISBN 9780874804256. Archived from [https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/e/ESCALANTE.shtml the original] on March 21, 2024, and retrieved on April 21, 2024.

==External links==
{{commons category|Escalante, Utah}}
* {{official website|https://www.escalantecity-utah.com/}}
* [http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7702663&lon=-111.60211900000002&site=all&smap=1 Current weather forecast]
* [https://www.loc.gov/search/?q=Escalante%2C+Utah&sp=1&in=original-format%3Aphoto%2C+print%2C+drawing Depression Era photos of Escalante at the Library of Congress]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Escalante
|North     = [[Loa, Utah|Loa]], [[Bicknell, Utah|Bicknell]], [[Torrey, Utah|Torrey]]
|Northeast = [[Boulder, Utah|Boulder]]
|East      = ''[[Colorado River]]'' / [[Blanding, Utah|Blanding]]
|Southeast = ''Colorado River'' 
|South     = ''[[Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument]]''<br/>{{flagicon|Arizona}} [[Page, Arizona|Page]] / ''[[Lake Powell]]''
|Southwest = [[Tropic, Utah|Tropic]]<br/>[[Cannonville, Utah|Cannonville]], [[Henrieville, Utah|Henrieville]]
|West      = [[Panguitch, Utah|Panguitch]]
|Northwest = [[Koosharem, Utah|Koosharem]]<br/>[[Antimony, Utah|Antimony]]
}}

{{Garfield County, Utah}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Garfield County, Utah]]
[[Category:Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1875]]
[[Category:1875 establishments in Utah Territory]]
[[Category:Cities in Utah]]