Upland city feature
About this landmark
Granite tribute to westward expansion stands at Foothill and Euclid.
The Madonna of the Trail monument stands in the center median at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Euclid Avenue at 31 W. Foothill Blvd. The statue depicts a pioneer woman in a long dress and bonnet, facing westward, holding an infant in one arm and cradling a rifle in the other, with a young child holding onto her skirt. She stands 10 feet tall and weighs 5 tons, carved from Missouri granite. A backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains frames the monument. The site marks the convergence of four historic trails: the Mojave Trail, the de Anza Trail, the Emigrant Trail, and the Colorado Road, used by the Butterfield Stage from 1858 to 1861. The monument's base also commemorates Jedediah Smith's 1826 expedition, described as the first American entry into California over land.
The series and Upland's role
The monument was dedicated on February 1, 1929, and stands as one of twelve identical Madonna of the Trail monuments commissioned by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR). The monuments commemorate "the courage and faith of the women who helped conquer the wilderness and establish permanent homes." The series was designed by August Leimbach, a German-born architectural sculptor whose design drew inspiration from the 1905 Sacajawea monument in Portland, Oregon. The first monument in the series was dedicated July 7, 1928, in Wheeling, West Virginia.
The Upland monument is the westernmost of the twelve, marking the terminus point of the National Old Trails Road, which ran from Bethesda, Maryland to Upland, California. San Bernardino was originally offered the monument but declined to fund its $1,500 base cost, after which Upland secured the statue through negotiation with the DAR. The monument was designated California Historical Landmark No. 1028 in 1998.
Visiting and preservation
The monument remains accessible at its location in the Foothill Boulevard and Euclid Avenue median, visible to local residents and travelers. As a California Historical Landmark, it holds formal recognition within the state's heritage preservation system.
The site offers a tangible connection to both local and national history, commemorating the pioneer women of westward expansion through its prominent position at the intersection of historic trails in Upland.
Insurance connection: Auto coverage
California requires minimum liability limits of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. Policyholders choose their deductible; higher deductibles generally mean lower premiums. Insurers must offer uninsured-motorist coverage, though drivers may decline it with a waiver. An auto policy may be cancelled only for fraud, material misrepresentation, non-payment, or a substantial increase in hazard. If you are not at fault in an accident, your insurer cannot raise your rate. Read more about California auto insurance. Eligibility and limits depend on the individual policy. The issued policy controls.
Primary sources: Wikipedia article on the monument series, Roadside America profile, and California Historical Landmark #1028 database entry.
Insurance context is general information only. The issued policy and its endorsements settle coverage.