bridges of madison county

Roseman Covered Bridge 1883

Did you read the book, The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller?  There really are covered bridges and the Roseman Bridge was on the cover of the book. This past week we were able to visit the bridges that are located in Winterset, Madison County, Iowa. 

Upon visiting the Chamber of Commerce in Winterset you are given a map to show you how to get to the bridges. None are being used anymore, but all are still intact and will probably be there long after the concrete and steel bridges, that replaced them, are gone. Some were tore down and built back up in another location to keep them preserved, others are in their original locations, sitting above the rivers that have been flowing below them for a hundred years or more.

Today these bridges mean more than just a mode of transportation of years gone by. They represent a love story thanks to the book.

Hogback Covered Bridge 1884

Cutler-Donahue Covered Bridge 1871

Holliwell Bridge 1880