Honoring "pioneer mothers of the covered wagon days," these twelve impressive and identical Daughters of the American Revolution monuments trace the westward movement of the nation. Found one per state from Maryland to California, the monuments are all along or near U.S. Route 40, sometimes called the Old Trails Road, which had its early 1800s inspiration as the National Road from Maryland to Illinois.
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. — — Map (db m36380) HM
(South Face)
N.S.D.A.R. Memorial
to the
Pioneer Mothers
of the
Covered Wagon Days.
(East Face)
This trail, trod by the Padres in Spanish Days,
became, under Mexican rule, the road connecting
Los Angeles, later the American Post Road.
. . . — — Map (db m149065) HM
(Front Panel)
N.S.D.A.R. Memorial
to the
Pioneer Mothers
of the
Covered Wagon Days
(Right Side Panel)
A place of historical lore noted for Indian lodges; shelter from storm and heat; food supply for beast; bivouac . . . — — Map (db m106897) HM
The Story Begins… in 1922 when Mrs. John Trigg Moss representing the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Harry Truman joined forces to petition Congress to designate a "National Old Trails Road," . . . — — Map (db m213698) HM
N·S·D·A·R Memorial
to the
Pioneer Mothers
of the
Covered Wagon Days
The Cumberland Road.
Built by
the Federal Government.
Was authorized by Congress
and approved by
Thomas Jefferson in 1806.
Vandalia marks the . . . — — Map (db m42341) HM
(Southwest Face) N.S.D.A.R. Memorial to the Pioneer Mothers of the Covered Wagon Days.
(Northwest Face) A Nation's Highway! Once a wilderness trail over which hardy pioneers made their perilous way seeking new homes in the dense forests of the . . . — — Map (db m244) HM
The Madonna of the Trail statue, commissioned by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, was designed and sculpted by August Leimbach of St. Louis, Missouri. It symbolizes the courage, faith, and spirit of the pioneer mothers who . . . — — Map (db m138880) HM
N.S.D.A.R. Memorial
to the
Pioneer Mothers
of the
Covered Wagon Days
The National
Old Trails Road
Here East met West
when the Old Santa Fe Trail
was established August 10, 1825
at a council between the
United . . . — — Map (db m44822) HM
(East Face)
N.S.D.A.R. Memorial to the Pioneer Mothers of the Covered Wagon Days.
(North Face)
This the first military road in America beginning at Rock Creek and Potomac River, Georgetown, Maryland, leading our pioneers . . . — — Map (db m167133) HM
The "Madonna of the Trail" statue was designed and sculpted by August Leimbach of St. Louis. The statue was unveiled and dedicated on September 17, 1928 by the Missouri State Society Daughters of the American Revolution in memory of the brave . . . — — Map (db m90919) HM
(West Face):
N.S.D.A.R. Memorial
to the
Pioneer Mothers
of the
Covered Wagon Days
(South Face):
Into the primitive west
Face upflung toward the sun
Bravely she came
Her children . . . — — Map (db m45445) HM
The Ohio Society DAR on July 4, 2003, placed this
Rededication Marker to Commemorate the
75th Anniversary of the Madonna of the Trail Statue.
The Statue has been restored through the efforts of:
• Ohio Society Daughters of the . . . — — Map (db m108425) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m45529) HM
Text on the Front (South) Side of Monument:
Madonna of the Trail
N S D A R Memorial
to the
Pioneer Mothers
of the
Covered Wagon Days
Text on the Left (West) Side of Monument:
The National Road
Completed by . . . — — Map (db m108458)
(South Face) N.S.D.A.R. Memorial to the Pioneer Mothers of the Covered Wagon Days.
(East Face) On this historic spot, the hunting ground of the friendly Indian Nemacolin, this monument is erected and dedicated to the memory of our pioneer . . . — — Map (db m501) HM
(South Face)
N.S.D.A.R. Memorial
to the
Pioneer Mothers
of the
Covered Wagon Days.
(East Face)
To the pioneer mothers of our mountain state, whose courage, optimism, live and sacrifice made possible the National Highway that united east . . . — — Map (db m498) HM
The statue before you was created as a tribute to the pioneer women who braved the uncertainties of the great journey west. The Madonna memorials were a project of the Daughters of the American Revolution and were dedicated between 1926 and 1929. . . . — — Map (db m500) HM
