The Ben Lowe-Cash Sampson shootout, livestock wars, the trail followed by Delta bank robbers and descriptions of homesteading life were some of the stories heard by the 140 attendees at the Pioneer Spirit of Escalante Canyon talk on March 13, 2014 and by 66 people on the tour of the Canyon Homestead sites on March 15. Co-sponsored by IAWC and Colorado Canyons Association, the talk and tour generated a lot of interest in furthering the work IAWC has begun.

At the lecture, Bernice Musser, lifelong resident of Escalante Canyon, was honored by the Association for her generosity in sharing the Canyon with others through stories and programs. Bernice has shared her stories of life in the Canyon and its history.
The tour visited the Walker Homestead and Captain Smith cabins. The cabins, along with

the Gunnison River water wheel, were listed on Colorado Preservation Inc.’s 2013 Most Endangered Places. All three sites are unique to the Canyon area and are resources in which local citizens can relate to their history. The 1924 school house at Escalante Forks was the last stop on the tour.

IAWC Executive Director Chris Miller is seeking permission from the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife to allow IAWC to submit a grant application for state historic funds for historic structure assessments on the two homes and list the Gunnison River water wheel on the Delta County Historic Landmark Register and seek funds to stabilize and restore the homes.
To learn more, contact Chris Miller at 907 874-6695.