Throwback Thursday - Bethesda MD's Madonna of the Trails
Every week I pick 10 posts that I think that could use a second look, a little more exposure, or that are so good that I want all my friends to have a chance to experience it.
This week is no exception and it has been a challenge to narrow the list down to 10, I hope that you enjoy these along with a few more that you may find on the author's blog site.
Take a few minutes to click on the title of this post, this will take you to the original blog post where the author would be excited to hear your thoughts on their post.
On Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, in front of the old Post Office, there is a large statue of a pioneer woman holding her baby in one arm and a gun in the other. People pass the statue every day, and most people do not notice it or know what it represents. So... here is the story of the statue.
The Bethesda statue, titled "Madonna of the Trail," is one of twelve identical statues dedicated to the spirit of the pioneer women who extended the frontiers of America ever westward. The woman in the statue is wearing a bonnet and long skirts; she is that hardy pioneer stock which would make you feel safer on that long wagon trail ride west. Commissioned by the Daughters of the American Revolution, the twelve identical statues were installed in 1928 and 1928 in each of the twelve states through which passed the National Old Trails Road - reaching from Bethesda, Maryland to Upland, California.
The statues are each ten feet tall and weigh five tons. Each statue stands on a base that is eight feet tall, and has identical inscriptions on the east and west sides. The inscriptions on the north and south sides of the monument tend to have local information.
I love that the officials in Cumberland Maryland tried to get the statue moved from Bethesda to Cumberland, since that is where the National Old Trails Road actually starts, but Bethesda has held on to its statue! Interestingly, the Bethesda statue is the only one facing east, arguably toward the city of Washington, DC. Most of the other statues face west, except ones in Beallsville, Pennsylvania, Springfield, Ohio, and Upland CA, which all face south.
I love to walk into downtown Bethesda from Kenwood Forest, and this statue is always a good way to tell how far I have walked. In addition, it is close to the Bethesda Metro, so you can't miss it on your way home in the evening!
If you are looking for a home in a town that celebrates its history, then you will love Bethesda, MD. To start your search, give the Lise Howe Group a call at 240-401-5577. We love to help buyers find that perfect home in Bethesda, MD. If you are relocating to Bethesda, be sure to ask for our Buyer Home Guide!
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