Twenty years ago… 0 ▲ Down the Road 2 hours ago · Nature · hide …I visited Vandalia, Illinois, for the first time and saw the Madonna of the Trail that was there. This is one of twelve identical monuments placed along the National Old Trails Road coast to coast in the late 1920s. The National Old Trails Road was an early auto trail that followed a number of existing historic trails, largely the National Road and the Santa Fe Trail, across the country. I was in Vandalia again in September and photographed the monument (on film, and the film is still inside the camera). It’s been whitewashed. Which is fitting, as I’ve seen several other Madonnas of the Trail, and they’re all white. To get Down the Road in your inbox or reader six days a week, click here to subscribe! Commenting on Bubbles has been removed. Why? If you want to talk about this post, write to the author, use the comments on their blog if it has them, or reply with a "RE:" post on your own blog. Suggestions? feedback@bubbles.town
