Series of 12 identical monuments dedicated to the spirit of pioneer women in the United States
This article is about the series of identical monuments. For the Texas Woman's University statue, see Pioneer Woman (Friedlander). For the Ponca City statue, see Pioneer Woman.
In 1911, the NSDAR established a committee to honor pioneer women. Initial plans called for painted mileage markers throughout the route. Those plans were later abandoned in favor of pioneer mother statues. Arlene Nichols Moss, NSDAR Commission Chairperson, was inspired by Portland, Oregon’s 1905 "Sacajawea" monument. The NSDAR commissioned sculptor August Leimbach to create the statues. The image is now owned by Kevin Karl, Leimbach's great grandson. Each statue is 10 feet high, weighs 5 tons and is made of Missouri granite. The National Old Trails Road Association (NOTR) was created to study the trails and select routes to designate. Judge (and later U.S. President) [Harry S. Truman] led the NOTR and spoke at the first monument dedication in 1928.
The Madonna of the Trail monuments were intended to provide a symbol of the courage and faith of the women whose strength and love aided so greatly in conquering the wilderness and establishing permanent homes. Dedicated in 1928 and 1929, the twelve statues became sources of local pride. Through the continuing efforts of local and national groups, all are currently in good condition and on display.
Has long been the only one facing east. In December 2004, the statue was temporarily removed to repair its foundation. An alert reporter for the Washington Post noted that as it was placed on the flatbed truck, the Madonna faced west, believed to be the first time all 12 have done so.[3]
Pennsylvania
Beallsville
US Rt. 40, across from Nemacolin Country Club,12 mi. E of Washington, PA
US Rt. 40 - Snyder's Park. Placed some ten blocks from the National Old Trails Highway
Ohio's Madonna was moved in 2011 to the new National Road Commons park in downtown Springfield. The statue faces south for better visibility on Main Street (Route 40).[5]
Indiana
Richmond
Glenn Miller Park, US 40 East and N 22 St.
Illinois
Vandalia
SE corner of the Old State House
Missouri
Lexington
Main St. and Jack's Ford Rd.
Kansas
Council Grove
Union and Main St.
September 7, 1928
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Council Grove statue is one of three along the Santa Fe Trail route. Council Grove was chosen for a statue in part due to its historic connections to the trail and in part because the town planned to build a memorial park around the statue.[6]
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Originally located in McClellan Park, it was moved in 1996 when the park was demolished to build the Pete V. Domenici United States Courthouse. After restoration work, the monument was installed at the northwest corner of the courthouse grounds, where it was rededicated on September 27, 1998.[7][8][9]
Arizona
Springerville
US Rt. 60 (Main St.) across from Post Office
California
Upland
Center divider on Euclid Avenue just north of Foothill Boulevard
Dedicated in 1929, the Madonna of the Trail is one of twelve identical statues placed in twelve states by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The statues, differentiated by the inscriptions on their bases, commemorate the westward move of American civilization on a series of trails, which eventually linked the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They especially pay tribute to the importance of a national highway and the role of pioneer women. The statue was designed by German-born architectural sculptor August Leimbach and inspired by a statue of Sacagawea in Portland, Oregon. The Upland monument is said to represent four historic trails: the Mojave Trail, the de Anza Trail, the Emigrant Trail, and the Canyon Road.[10]
Images
Further reading
Bauer, Fern Ioula (1984). The Historic Treasure Chest of the Madonna of the Trail Monuments. Springfield, Ohio: J. McEnaney Print. ASINB0006EG8TM.
Prescott, Cynthia C. (Summer 2021). Turpie, David C. (ed.). "Myth, Memory, and the Limits of Inclusivity in Arizona Pioneer Monuments". 62 (2). Tucson, AZ: Arizona Historical Society: 173–206. ISSN0021-9053. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
