Springerville in Apache County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Madonna of the Trail
By Bill Kirchner, September 19, 2010
1. Madonna of the Trail Marker
This 10 foot high, 5 ton statue cast by St. Louis sculptor August Leimbach is one of 12 identical monuments to the bold spirit of the pioneers erected in 1928-29 along the National Old Trails Road from Maryland to California.Erected 2002 by Round Valley Positive Action Tourism Committee and Springerville-Eagar Chamber of Commerce. Monument by Daughters of the American Revolution (1928). (Marker Number 28.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the Arizona, Pistols, Plows and Petticoats Historic Driving Tour, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Madonnas of the Trail series lists.
Location. 34° 7.991′ N, 109° 17.106′ W. Marker is in Springerville, Arizona, in Apache County. Marker is on East Main Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker is behind statue at exit from McDonalds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Springerville AZ 85938, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within
By Bill Kirchner, September 24, 2010
2. Madonna of the Trail Statue
This Madonna was dedicated September 28, 1928. The honor of unveiling the monument went to Eliza Rudd, possibly the sculptor's model, a pioneer mother who had arrived in Round Valley on August 1, 1876 by wagon train with her husband and eight children. The honored speakers were Arizona Governor George W.P. Hunt and Harry S. Truman, then a judge in Missouri and President of the National Old Trails Road Association.
The monument was moved from the Post Office property to its present location across the street in 1987 and was re-dedicated by the D.A.R. in 1998.
The monument was moved from the Post Office property to its present location across the street in 1987 and was re-dedicated by the D.A.R. in 1998.
More about this marker. This is Marker Stop #28 on the Pistols, Plows and Petticoats Historic Driving Tour.
Regarding Madonna of the Trail. Memorializing pioneer mothers “who carried the hopes and dreams of civilization with them as they journeyed westward with their families into a harsh and unknown land….,” The Madonnas of the Trail were the creation of Harry S.Truman and The Daughters of the American Revolution to honor pioneer women and to commemorate the Old National Trails Road. They placed twelve monuments at historically significant points along the roads in Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . .
By Bill Kirchner, September 24, 2010
3. Madonna of the Trail Statue
By Bill Kirchner, September 24, 2010
4. Front of Madonna of the Trail Statue
To the
Pioneer Women
Of the
Covered Wagon Days
By Bill Kirchner, September 24, 2010
5. Left Side of Madonna of the Trail Statue
in 1540.
He came to seek gold
but found fame”
By Bill Kirchner, September 24, 2010
6. Rear of Madonna of the Trail Statue
Old Trails Road
By Bill Kirchner, September 24, 2010
7. Right Side of Madonna of the Trail Statue
of Arizona and the Southwest
who trod this ground
and braved the dangers
of the Apaches and other
Warrior tribes”
Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,846 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on October 1, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 29, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
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