Madonna of the Trail is a series of 12 identical monuments to the spirit of pioneer women in the United States. The monuments were commissioned in the late 1920s by the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) under president Grace Lincoln Hall Brosseau. They were installed in the 12 states along the National Old Trails Road, which extended from Cumberland, Maryland, to Upland, California.
In 1911, the NSDAR established a committee to honor pioneer women. An initial plan for painted mileage markers along the route was abandoned in favor of pioneer mother statues. Arlene Nichols Moss, NSDAR commission chairperson, was inspired by Portland, OregonâÂÂs 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 commemorate the courage and faith of the women who helped conquer the wilderness and establish permanent homes. Through the continuing efforts of local and national groups, all are currently in good condition and on display.
Some Madonna of the Trail monuments have become community landmarks.
On June 2, 2020, the Upland, California Madonna of the Trail monument was the site of a Black Lives Matter protest in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.
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: