Madonna of the Trail, Albuquerque, NM
1928 (Photograph 2006)
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This statue of Madonna of the Trail by August Leimbach was unveiled in 1928 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. One of 12 identical statues located along the National Old Trails Road which extended from Maryland to California. Dedicated to the pioneer woman, the Madonna of the Trail faces West carrying an infant in one arm and a rifle in the other while another child stands at her side. Identical statues exist in Bethesda, Maryland; Washington, Pennsylvania; Wheeling, West Virginia; Springfield, Ohio; Richmond, Indiana; Vandalia, Illinois; Lexington, Missouri; Council Grove, Kansas; Springerville, Arizona; Lamar Colorado; Upland, California.
The New Mexico statue is engraved on each side of its pedestal. On the western side is engraved "MADONNA OF THE TRAIL, NSDAR MEMORIAL TO THE PIONEER MOTHERS OF THE COVERED WAGONDAYS.” On the southern side is engraved “INTO THE PRIMITIVE WEST, FACEUPLIFTING TOWARD THE SUN, BRAVELY SHE CAME, HER CHILDREN BESIDE HER. HERE SHEMADE THEM A HOME, BEAUTIFUL PIONEER MOTHER!” The eastern side of pedestal is inscribed “THE NATIONAL OLD TRAILS ROAD” (Photo 7). Finally, the pedestal’s north side is inscribed “TO THE PIONEER MOTHER OF AMERICA, THROUGH WHOSE COURAGE AND SACRIFICE THE DESERT HAS BLOSSOMED. THE LAMP BECAME THE HOME, THE BLAZED TRAIL THE THOROUGHFARE.”
This photo and description of the Madonna of the Trail in Albuquerque, New Mexico are part of materials from the registration form for the National Register of Historic Places.
The New Mexico statue is engraved on each side of its pedestal. On the western side is engraved "MADONNA OF THE TRAIL, NSDAR MEMORIAL TO THE PIONEER MOTHERS OF THE COVERED WAGONDAYS.” On the southern side is engraved “INTO THE PRIMITIVE WEST, FACEUPLIFTING TOWARD THE SUN, BRAVELY SHE CAME, HER CHILDREN BESIDE HER. HERE SHEMADE THEM A HOME, BEAUTIFUL PIONEER MOTHER!” The eastern side of pedestal is inscribed “THE NATIONAL OLD TRAILS ROAD” (Photo 7). Finally, the pedestal’s north side is inscribed “TO THE PIONEER MOTHER OF AMERICA, THROUGH WHOSE COURAGE AND SACRIFICE THE DESERT HAS BLOSSOMED. THE LAMP BECAME THE HOME, THE BLAZED TRAIL THE THOROUGHFARE.”
This photo and description of the Madonna of the Trail in Albuquerque, New Mexico are part of materials from the registration form for the National Register of Historic Places.
This primary source comes from the Records of the National Park Service.
National Archives Identifier: 77845939
Full Citation: Madonna of the Trail, Albuquerque, NM; 1928 (Photograph 2006); National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: New Mexico; National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, 2013 - 2017; Records of the National Park Service, Record Group 79; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/madonna-of-the-trail-albuquerque-nm, March 28, 2024]Rights: Copyright Not Evaluated Learn more on our privacy and legal page.