Madonna of the Trail
In 1912, Congress appropriated funds for a new highway, the National Old Trails Road, or Ocean-to-Ocean Highway. The route crossed 12 states from Maryland to California following much of the National Road and the Santa Fe Trail. To celebrate the designation of the National Old Trails Road, the daughters of the American Revolution commissioned 12 statues as a tribute to the pioneer women who braved the uncertainties of the great journey west. The sculpture depicts a pioneer mother with an infant on her left arm, and a young boy at her feet, while holding a rifle in her right hand.Conceived by Arlene B. Moss of St. Louis, Missouri, the statue was sculpted by August Leimbach. This specific monument, the first to be placed, was dedicated on July 4th, 1928. In attendance was Harry S. Truman, President of the National Old Trails Association and future U.S. President.The original National Road extended from Cumberland, MD to Vandalia, IL. Often referred to as the Cumberland Road, it was constructed between 1811 and 1839. The road reached Springfield, Ohio in 1838.Left Photo
The finished was model of the Madonna of the Trail statue pictured in 1927 with August Leimbach, the artist, and Mrs. John Trigg Moss of the DARRight Photo
All of the Madonnas are identical. They were cast in an amalgam of crushed granite, stone, cement and lead ore known as "algonite." A primary ingredient was a pinkish Missouri granite. The statue is 10 feet tall and sits on a 6 foot high base. A foundation of an additional 2 feet makes the monument 18 feet tall, weighing over 17 tons.Dedication inscriptions are carved into the base. The text of the inscriptions varies with the site.
Marker is on West National Road just from Snyder Park Road.
Courtesy hmdb.org
