Madonna of the Trail

Madonna of the Trail is a series of 12 monuments dedicated to the spirit of pioneer women in the United States. The monuments were commissioned by the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR). The monuments were built in each of the 12 states on the National Old Trails Road from Cumberland, Maryland, to Upland, California.

The monuments were created by sculptor August Leimbach. The Madonna of the Trail monuments were meant to be symbols of the courage of the women who aided in conquering the wilderness and creating permanent homes. The statues were dedicated in 1928 and 1929. They have became sources of local pride. All of the monuments are currently in good condition and on display.  

Locations
There is one monument in each of the 12 states along the National Old Trails Highway (much of which later became U.S. Highway 40 and U.S. Highway 66). The monuments in order of dedication are:

StateImageLocationNotesMaryland100pxBethesda

Wisconsin Ave. and Old Georgetown Rd.Was the only statue facing east. In December 2004, the statue was removed to fix a foundation problem. When it was put on the truck, the Madonna faced west. This us believed to be the first time all 12 statues have faced west.Pennsylvania100pxBeallsville

US Rt. 40, across from Nemacolin Country Club,12 mi. E of Washington, PAWest Virginia100pxWheeling
US Rt. 40, across from Overlook CondominiumDedicated on July 7, 1928. Contributing structure in the National Road Corridor Historic DistrictOhio100pxSpringfield

US Rt. 40 - Snyder's Park. Placed some ten blocks from the National Old Trails HighwayOhio's Madonna was relocated in 2011 to downtown Springfield. The statue is facing south so it can be seen better from Main Street (Route 40).Indiana100pxRichmond
Glenn Miller Park, US 40 East and N 22 St.Illinois100pxVandalia
SE corner of the Old State HouseMissouri100pxLexington
Main St. and Jack's Ford Rd.Kansas100pxCouncil Grove
Union and Main St.Dedicated on September 7, 1928. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of three along the Santa Fe Trail route. Colorado100pxLamar
S Main St. and Beech St.New Mexico100pxAlbuquerque
4th and Marble NWDedicated on September 27, 1928. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It was removed from  McClellan Park in 1996 when the park was demolished to build the Pete V. Domenici United States Courthouse. The monument was moved to a new site at the northwest corner of the courthouse grounds. It was rededicated on September 27, 1998.Arizona100pxSpringerville
US Rt. 60 (Main St.) across from Post OfficeCalifornia100pxUpland
Center divider on Euclid Avenue just north of Foothill BoulevardDedicated in 1929

References

Category:Monuments and memorials in the United States
Category:1928 establishments in California