Located in the town of Winterset which is 30 miles southwest of Des Moines, these 6 beautiful covered bridges have inspired countless photographs, and a best-selling novel turned movie. Originally there were 19 covered bridges in Madison County, which were built between 1868-1889. Today only 6 remain, five of which are original and on the National Historic Register. These include Cedar (a replica), Cutler-Donahoe, Hogback, Holliwell, Imes, and Roseman. Four of these bridges feature a nearly flat roof, a design feature by builder Harvey P. Jones, which is now unique in the United States.
Why were there so many bridges built in Madison County? – The county has a lot of rivers, creeks and streams making bridges a necessity.
Why are the bridges covered? – Covering a bridge was an economic measure, designed to lengthen the life of the structure. Complex and expensive timber trusses, left open to the weather, proved vulnerable to deterioration. Covered bridges can last indefinitely.
All of the bridges are open to the public and may be crossed on foot or bicycle. Only one is still open to vehicular traffic and that is Cedar Bridge (please pay close attention to the posted height limitation!) No ATVs may be driven across the bridges due to potential damage to these timber structures.
- Imes Bridge
- Holliwell Bridge
- Roseman Bridge
- Cedar Bridge
- Hogback Bridge
- Cutler-Donahoe
Imes Bridge – The bridge, was originally built in 1870. It is the oldest of the 6 surviving covered bridges in the county. The bridge has been moved several times, with the first move in 1887 to the Imes crossing of Clanton Creek, and then to its current location near St. Charles in 1977. It has a span of 82 feet.
The Imes Bridge, is 81 feet (25 meters) long and was renovated in 1997 for a cost of $31,807. There is a small parking area in front of the bridge.
Holliwell Bridge – Built by Harvey P. Jones and George K. Foster in 1880 for a cost of $1,180, it is the longest of the six covered bridges, spanning 110 feet. Holliwell Bridge is on 1.9 miles of gravel after turning right onto Norwood Ave from E. Court Ave.
The Holliwell Bridge carried traffic for over a century, until it was bypassed in 1986. It was one of two Madison County bridges featured in the movie, The Bridges of Madison County, the other being Roseman Bridge. The Holliwell was renovated in 1995 for $225,000, made possible by a federal restoration grant.
Roseman Bridge – This bridge spans Middle River and was built by county work crews under the supervision of Harvey P. Jones and George K. Foster in 1883 and for an original cost of $2,930. It is 104 feet long, with the signature Jones’ flat roof.
The Roseman Bridge was named after the family of Edward Monroe Roseman whose home was near the bridge. The Roseman Bridge is still situated in its original location, and it carried traffic for nearly a century, until it was bypassed in 1981. The bridge was renovated in 1992 at a cost of $152,515, with the help of a federal restoration grant.
The Roseman Bridge’s claim to fame came in 1994 when it was featured in the movie, The Bridges of Madison County. The bridge had been renovated just before the film company arrived. Clint Eastwood, the movie’s producer and director, wanted the bridge to look old and in disrepair, so the crew worked hard to “age” the bridge. Workmen had to return and repaint the bridge when production ended.
Cedar Bridge – The Cedar Bridge was built in 1883 at a cost of $2,964.73. The Cedar Bridge carried traffic until 1920, when it was moved to its current site over Cedar Creek. It is the only remaining covered bridge in Madison County that is still open to vehicular traffic.
An illustration of Cedar Bridge graces the cover of the novel, The Bridges of Madison County, by Robert James Waller. Oprah Winfrey came to Winterset in the spring of 1993 and filmed an episode of her show from the lawn around Cedar Bridge. A set of stairs descending the bank near the bridge was built for Oprah to make her entrance and these are now known as Oprah’s Steps.
The Cedar Bridge was renovated in 1998, but unfortunately fell victim to arson in 2002. An exact replica was built and dedication took place on October 9, 2004 during the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival. In 2017, the Cedar Bridge was once again destroyed by arson. It took nearly two years to raise the appropriate funds and build a new replica of Cedar Bridge, with an official ribbon-cutting during the Covered Bridge Festival in October 2019.
Hogback Bridge – was also built by Harvey P. Jones and George K. Foster in 1884 using the Town lattice truss with queen post overlay. The Hogback spans 98 feet over North River. While most of the covered bridges were named for nearby landowners, Hogback was named for the hogback ridge at the west end of the valley (its convex curve resembling the curve of a hog’s back).
You will have to drive on gravel road for just over 2 miles to reach Hogback Bridge from 195th Street.
Cutler-Donahoe – The Cutler-Donahoe (sometimes spelled Donahue) Bridge is 82 feet long and was built by Eli Cox in 1871. It has a traditional pitched roof and a Town lattice truss. This bridge originally crossed the North River near Bevington, Iowa, where the bridge carried traffic for almost a century. The bridge got its name from two families who lived near the bridge in its original location – the Cutlers and the Donahoes.
The Cutler-Donahoe Bridge was deteriorating when it was decided in 1970 that the bridge should be moved. Just before the first Covered Bridge Festival, which was scheduled for October 10, 1970, the bridge was moved to the Winterset City Park, where it still stands today. The bridge was rehabilitated in 1997 at a cost of $35,538.
Even without the scenic covered bridges, Madison County and the city of Winterset are worth a visit –
- A culminating cultural experience takes place every year with the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival in October.
- Winterset is also home to the birthplace of John Wayne and an adjoining museum dedicated to America’s most recognized cowboy, The Duke.
- After spending a sunny afternoon exploring and photographing the covered bridges, it’s well worth your time to check out Winterset’s Historic Town Square.