Discover the Historic Bridges of Madison County in Iowa
Located south of Des Moines, a half dozen covered bridges represent important pieces of history in Central Iowa. These are the famed Bridges of Madison County — bridges so famous that they inspired a best-selling novel, a critically acclaimed movie, and a musical.
The Bridges of Madison County aren’t just famous. They symbolize more than 100 years of Iowa history and are important vessels for travel in Madison County. Though most of them are only open now to pedestrian travel, they are among the most historic and photographed spots in the Midwest and must-visit spots for any Midwest traveler.
Bridges Steeped in History
Once upon a time, Madison County, Iowa was home to 19 covered bridges built during the late 19th century. Of the remaining six, they were built between 1870 and 1884, meaning that each of the original bridges is at least 100 years old.
Nationwide, it’s estimated that more than 12,000 covered bridges were built in the US between 1825 and 1875.
Covered bridges were built in such a way as to protect the roadways on which they were built and also because it was easier and cheaper to make repairs to the walls and roofs of the bridges rather than the bridges themselves.
Just six of Madison County’s historic bridges remain today and most are closed to traffic. But they are still open to pedestrians who love historic architecture, Iowa history, or even iconic filming locations. Most of them are on rural roads, but they stand out in the beautiful countryside.
Cedar Covered Bridge
Cedar Bridge Road, Winterset, IA
Three versions of the Cedar Bridge have been built over time with the original bridge constructed in 1883 and moved in 1921.
NOTE: Traveling by car, visitors can see all six bridges in just about an hour without stopping. But allowing even 15 minutes per bridge can lengthen the journey and give travelers time to photograph, sit by, and admire each bridge.
The bridge, which was featured on the cover of The Bridges of Madison County novel, is the only one of Madison County’s historic covered bridges to allow vehicular passage. In 1993, Oprah Winfrey filmed an episode of her show here, and a set of steps built for her near the bridge remain and are known as “Oprah’s Steps.”
The original 78-foot bridge was built over Cedar Creek north of Winterset in 1883 before it was moved in 1921 and placed in a newer, permanent location over Cedar Creek.
Cedar Covered Bridge was destroyed by arson in 2002 and a new bridge — built to the original’s specifications — opened in 2004 before it was destroyed by fire in 2017. A third bridge was built and opened in 2019.
Cutler-Donahoe Bridge
300 S. 9th St., Winterset, IA
The 79-foot Cutler-Donahoe Bridge was built in 1870 and named for a pair of families living near its original location. It originally crossed the North River near Bevington and carried traffic for almost a century.
It was moved in the 1970s — during a careful two-day journey — and given a new paint job, a re-shingled roof, new siding, and new beams and braces. It reached its final location at the Winterset City Park entrance in 1979, just before the first Covered Bridge Festival.
The bridge is one of two bridges — Imes Bridge is the other — that’s accessible by pavement only.
Hogback Covered Bridge
1879 Hogback Bridge Rd, Winterset, IA
Spanning 98 feet, the Hogback Covered Bridge is located near Winterset and crosses the North River. It’s named after a nearby limestone ridge and was built in 1884 with a Town lattice truss system with steel pylons supporting the bridge’s main span.
The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and can be reached on a dirt road about four miles north of Winterset.
Imes Bridge
500 E. Main St., St. Charles, IA
This scenic, wooden-covered bridge was built in 1870 and is the oldest of Madison County’s remaining covered bridges. It once spanned the Middle River near a mill but was moved to a spot over Clinton Creek in 1887.
In 1959, a truck carrying corn crashed through the floor of the bridge, springing county authorities into action — it was repaired within a week. The bridge moved again in 1977 to its present location on the eastern edge of St Charles where it’s a historic landmark in a small park. The bridge is accessible by pavement only.
NOTE: A stop by the St. Charles Welcome Center is one of best spots to pick up a local map of all the bridges, which are all marked well by signs.
Roseman Covered Bridge
2451 Elderberry Ave, Winterset, IA
Located in Winterset, the Roseman Bridge is perhaps the best-known bridge of the bunch and was prominently featured in The Bridges of Madison County novel and film — Clint Eastwood, who directed the movie wanted the bridge to look old, so it was “aged” for the movie and then repainted when filming ended.
It was built in 1883 and carried traffic into 1981 before it was bypassed. It was renovated in 1992 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. It can be found on a gravel road about eight miles southwest of Winterset.
Fans of the paranormal can visit the bridge, which is said to be haunted. In 1892, a convict escaped from the county jail and a shootout occurred on the bridge. The convict is said to have let out a terrible scream and vanished into thin air. Passersby have reported hearing laughter and feeling cold spots in the middle of the bridge over the years.
Holliwell Covered Bridge
123 Holliwell Bridge Rd, Winterset, IA
Spanning the Middle River in Madison County, the Holliwell Bridge is no longer used, but still stands as one of Iowa’s historic covered bridges — in fact it’s also the longest at 110 feet long.
It was built in 1880 and carried traffic until 1986 when it was bypassed. It was restored in 1995 and featured in The Bridges of Madison Country film — it was even said to be Clint Eastwood’s favorite bridge. It can be found on a rural gravel road about two miles southeast of Winterset.
A Cinematic, Literary and Musical Legacy
While Iowa’s Bridges of Madison County are popular tourist destinations, the bridges have been immortalized in a best-selling novel, which in turn inspired a movie and a musical.
The 1992 bestseller The Bridges of Madison County is a romance novel, which tells the story of an Italian bride — Francesca Johnson — living in Madison County who engages in an affair with a photographer, who’s photographing the historic bridges. Author Robert James Waller was inspired to write the story after photographing the bridges and drawing inspiration from a song he wrote.
The book sold over 50 million copies worldwide and was made into a movie in 1995. Clint Eastwood produced, directed, and starred in the film alongside Meryl Streep, who stars as Johnson. The film made over $100 million and earned Streep an Academy Award nomination.
A musical based on the book premiered in February 2014 on Broadway and closed in May of that year after 100 regular performances. Subsequent productions have been staged in countries all over the world.
Guided Bridge Tours and the Covered Bridge Festival
Madison County visitors can take self-guided tours of the bridges, but personal guided tours are also offered — from the comfort of your own vehicle. During a two-hour guided tour (make sure to keep a seat open for your tour guide), visitors can learn about the history and construction of the bridges as well as details about filming the famous movie and other local tidbits.
RELATED: For a longer sightseeing trip, travel the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway. This path covers 82 miles and includes the Bridges of Madison County, the Iowa Quilt Museum, the John Wayne Birthplace and Museum, and other local points of interest.
Residents and visitors can celebrate the Covered Bridge Festival during the fall — usually the second full week in October. Since 1970, the festival has been an annual celebration of covered bridges and local history. Festivities include classic car shows, quilt demonstrations, a parade, guided bridge tours, antiques, and more.
Visit the Historic Bridges of Madison County
Whether you’re a fan of the book or movie, you appreciate history, or you’re fascinated by well-known Midwest landmarks, the Bridges of Madison County in Iowa continue to impress more than 100 years after their respective constructions.
Seeing these bridges up close on a self-guided tour or personal tour really highlights just how special these structures are to Iowa. This perfect blend of history and rural beauty makes the bridges worthy of a stop and there’s a good chance when you’ve seen one, you’ll want to see them all!