Madonnas of the Trail
A recurring piece of public statuary stands in twelve locations from Maryland to California, tracing a historic travel route from "covered wagon days." The statue is the Madonna of the Trail, an 18-ft. tall tribute to the pioneer mothers who traveled west with their crazy husbands.
The Madonna of the Trail is a pinkish, stony-faced pioneer Mom, in long dress and bonnet, strutting westward with a rifle on one arm, an infant on the other, another little cruncher grasping Mom's skirt (you may find Pioneer Dad on another statue in town, riding a horse).
The Madonnas of the Trail were a project of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, dedicated in 1928-29. They are strung along the National Old Trails Road, now mostly Rt. 40. Artist August Leimbach created the mold. The poured algonite stone sculptures -- a mixture of crushed marble, Missouri granite, stone, cement and lead ore -- are identical. The historical info on the base of each varies from locale to locale.
Nearly all of 10-ft. tall, five ton pioneer mothers face west; Bethesda, Maryland's faces east towards Washington, and Upland, California's faces south (Springfield, Ohio's has been reported to face south as well).
To properly honor the pioneer spirit, one should retrace the entire trail, and photograph all twelve cookie cutter statues. Or, with less honor, take twelve photos of one and say you saw 'em all...
- Bethesda, Maryland
- Beallsville, Pennsylvania
- Wheeling, West Virginia
- Springfield, Ohio
- Richmond, Indiana
- Vandalia, Illinois
- Lexington, Missouri
- Council Grove, Kansas
- Lamar, Colorado
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Springerville, Arizona
- Upland, California
Address: Main St, Springerville, AZ
Directions: US Rt. 60 (Main St.) across from Post Office
Hours: Always visible.
Address: Euclid Avenue, Upland, CA
Directions: Foothill Boulevard and Euclid Avenue
Hours: Always visible.
Address: S Main St., Lamar, CO
Directions: S Main St. and Beech St.
Hours: Always visible.
Address: 315 West Gallatin Street, Vandalia, IL
Directions: SE corner of the Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site.
Address: Richmond, IN
Directions: East side of the city, on the north side of US 40 just east of the intersection of 22nd St.
Hours: Always visible.
Address: Main St, Council Grove, KS
Directions: Union & Main Sts.
Hours: Always visible.
Address: Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD
Directions: Wisconsin Avenue and Old Georgetown Rd-Montgomery Lane, next to Bethesda Post Office.
Hours: Always visible.
Address: Main St, Lexington, MO
Directions: Main St. and Jack's Ford Rd.
Hours: Always visible.
Address: 4th St, Albuquerque, NM
Directions: North of Historic Route 66, 4th and Marble NW.
Hours: Always visible.
Address: 1900 Park Rd, Springfield, OH
Directions: East of US Hwy 68 on north side of US Rt. 40 - Snyder's Park.
Hours: Always visible.
Address: US Route 40, Beallsville, PA
Directions: US Rt. 40, across from Nemacolin Country Club,12 mi. E of Washington, PA.
Hours: Always visible.
