Bridges of Madison County
19 covered bridges were built in Madison County Iowa during the late 19th Century. The bridges were covered to protect the roadway, because it was cheaper to replace the boards of the roof and walls, then the heavy beams of the actual bridge. The 6 covered bridges which remain in Madison County, Iowa, were made famous by the Clint Eastwood movie The Bridges of Madison County.
The Movie
The Bridges of Madison County is a 1995 American romantic drama film based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Robert James Waller. It was produced by Amblin Entertainment and Malpaso Productions, and distributed by Warner Bros. Entertainment. The film was produced and directed by Clint Eastwood with Kathleen Kennedy as co-producer and the screenplay was adapted by Richard LaGravenese. The film is about an Italian war bride, Francesca (Meryl Streep), who lives with her husband and two children on a farm in Iowa. In 1965, she meets a National Geographic photographer named Robert (Eastwood) and has a four-day extramarital affair with him that changes both their lives forever. The film earned $182 million worldwide[4] and was well received by critics. Streep received an Academy Award for Best Actress nomination in 1996 for her performance in the film.
The Hogback Covered Bridge is a historic covered bridge near Winterset, Iowa. Named after a nearby limestone ridge, it was built in 1884 by Harvey P. Jones and George K. Foster over the North River on Douglas Township Road. The 106 feet bridge was designed with a Town lattice truss system. It was built with steel pylons to support the main span.
The Hogback Bridge was originally one of 19 covered bridges in Madison County; there are only six remaining covered bridges in the county. In 1992, the bridge was rehabilitated for the cost of $118,810 ($203,000 today). It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Admission & Hours
Open year-round, no closures
Entrance Fees
There are no fees to visit the covered bridges.
Holliwell Bridge is a wooden covered bridge in Madison County, Iowa. It was built over the Middle River in 1880 by Benton Jones.
The bridge is no longer in use, but was renovated and restored in 1995 at a cost of $225,000 ($354,000 today). It is featured in the film The Bridges of Madison County. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Maps:
Map provided by the Madison County Chamber of Commerce.
Click on map for a larger version.
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.
Cedar Bridge refers to two different bridges. The original Cedar Covered Bridge was built in 1883,moved in 1921, and was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The bridge was filmed in the 1995 movie The Bridges of Madison County, and destroyed by arson in 2002.
The current covered Cedar Bridge was built in 2004. A replacement bridge was built to the same plans and specifications as the original and using authentic materials and techniques. It reopened during October, 2004. On April 15, 2017, the new bridge was again destroyed by fire.
Facilities
All facilities are located in Winterset, which is in the middle of the bridges.
Location Contact Information:
Madison County Chamber of Commerce
73 Jefferson St.
Winterset IA 50273
515.462.1185
chamber@madisoncounty.com
Visitor Center Hours
May through October
9:00 to 4:00, Monday – Saturday
Noon to 3:00, Sunday
November through April
10:00 to 3:00, Monday – Friday
Holliwell Bridge is a wooden covered bridge in Madison County, Iowa. It was built over the Middle River in 1880 by Benton Jones.
The bridge is no longer in use, but was renovated and restored in 1995 at a cost of $225,000 ($354,000 today). It is featured in the film The Bridges of Madison County. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
The Roseman Covered Bridge is a historic covered bridge in Winterset, Iowa. It is prominently featured in the novel The Bridges of Madison County, as well as its film adaptation. It was built in 1883 over the Middle River, and renovated in 1992. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Nearest City or Town:
Winterset Iowa
Bridges of Madison County Gallery
Click Here for full page gallery
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