Larry Harnisch, who writes a history blog, The Daily Mirror, for the Los Angeles Times, has an interesting post about the Madonna of the Trail monument that was erected in 1929 on Foothill Boulevard, aka Route 66, in Upland, Calif.
Harnisch writes:
These monumental statues were meant to venerate the pioneer spirit, but today, some people view them as the worst sort of 1920s Americana kitsch that romanticizes the role of women and diminishes their contributions to history. I think they make an interesting argument. Whatever your opinion, it’s clear Upland has changed since 1939.
The post includes two old newspaper clippings about the monument and, in a nod to modern technology, a Google Streets view of the monument now.
Madonna of the Trail was a series of 12 statues dedicated by the Daughters of the American Revolution along what was the National Old Trails Highway in the late 1920s. All of them still exist in the respective towns where they were dedicated: Springfield, Ohio, Wheeling,W.Va., Council Grove, Kan., Lexington, Mo., Lamar, Colo., Albuquerque, N.M., Springerville, Ariz., Vandalia, Ill., Richmond, Ind., Beallsville, Pa., Bethesda, Md., and Upland.
Good find, Ron. Appreciate your post.
Interesting argument, but this could said with other
countless American statues or public artwork. Do they represent
historical or artistic merit still in our society? I guess
some of Picasso’s creations should be taken down too since they
represent the kind of older thinking in art versus today’s modern movement.
Ask the folks of some of the other statue locations in those small
towns, and they are proud of their history, women included.
I am honored and enamored to be able to live in an era
where women are celebrated for their past, present and future
contributions to our society. These Madonna statues are a part
of that where I think of those that have been here and those
women are to follow.
Maybe a modern day monument of the women with a briefcase
would be better right next to the Madonna statues will suffice
for that side of the argument. I consider that today’s kitsch.
Upland needs a little history as it has become a blend of the worst
suburban sprawl and commercialization. I do like there Rose Bowl parade float every year though, have to give them props for that.
What’s next a SmartCar Bug Ranch?