Creator of Madonna Inn - San Luis Obispo, California
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Touchstone
N 35° 16.961 W 120° 40.548
10S E 711374 N 3906868
This statue depicts the creator of the nearby Madonna Inn on horseback, at the entrance to Madonna Inn, in San Luis Obispo, California.
Waymark Code: WM5TCY
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 02/10/2009
Views: 11
Although making his fortune in real estate and building, Alex Madonna will be best remembered for creating the Madonna Inn and it's many themed rooms. Wikipedia has this to say of him:
"Alex Madonna (November 19, 1918 - 22 April 2004) was a prominent builder and real estate developer on the Central Coast of California. He is perhaps most noted for the Madonna Inn which he built for his wife, Phyllis Madonna.
Madonna was a self-made man. He started his own construction company in his early years, served on the Army Corps of Engineers in World War II, built bridges and roads throughout California. The Madonna Construction Company, under his leadership, was responsible for the construction of much of US 101 between Santa Barbara and Salinas between 1953 and 1970. Traveling north on the freeway through San Luis Obispo, you can see an old neon sign (the pink and green are Mrs. and Mr. Madonna's favorite colors) for the construction company, about 100 yards (91 m) north of the aptly named Madonna Road exit. His holdings included thousands of acres of property, and horse and cattle ranches in California and Oregon.
When Mr. Madonna was still alive he would come around to all tables eating in the Steak House and tell them all his favorite steak; which was the New York. He said it had the most flavor and more tender then the Rib Eye.
In 2007 the stretch of 101 through San Luis Obispo and the Madonna Inn was dedicated to Mr. Madonna as Alex Madonna Memorial Highway."
The plaque in front of the statue reads:
"Alex Madonna
Creator of Madonna Inn
Alex's personality was complex and ran in a wide and broad spectrum.
He was as colorful as a rainbow, as stormy as a hurricane, and as unpredictable as the weather.
He was an introvert, quiet, serious, shy and sometimes solemn.
He was an extrovert, flamboyant with quick wit and humor.
His laughter was hearty and sometimes ended in tears.
He moved fast, thought fast, and had a mind like a computer.
He was strong, gentle and kind.
He was thoughtful and was always giving and doing for others.
He never accepted failure.
When faced with a closed door, he simply opened another.
November 19, 1918 - April 22, 2004
You are loved by all that knew you!
"You will always be in my heart"
Phyllis Madonna
Identity of Rider: Alex Madonna
Material: Bronze
Unusual Features: Besides the horse being in full gallop, the gardners have mowed a section of the lawn to make it appear that the horse and rider are on a trail.
Position: Two Hooves Raised
Identity of Horse: Not listed
Name of artist: Not listed
Date of Dedication: Not listed
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