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All the United States Iowa Winterset The Bridges of Madison County
AO Edited

The Bridges of Madison County

Romance fans worldwide make the pilgrimage to this group of historic covered bridges in rural Iowa.

Winterset, Iowa

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Rebecca Froehlich
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The Roseman Bridge, featured prominently in the film.   SanjayFays / CC-A 3.0
The Roseman Bridge, featured prominently in the film.   SanjayFays / CC-A 3.0
Imes Covered Bridge, built in 1870.   Teddi Yaeger / CC-ASA 4.0
“I was Francesca in a former life!”   RFrolicArts / Atlas Obscura User
“A thousand country roads led me here. Thank you RJW”   RFrolicArts / Atlas Obscura User
“The patron saint of Iowa Housewives brought you to me.”   RFrolicArts / Atlas Obscura User
“Gracias por mostrarme esta hermosa historia te vi estuvimos rehaciendo”   RFrolicArts / Atlas Obscura User
“I <3 my cat Charley”   RFrolicArts / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Thirty miles from Des Moines, in Madison County, Iowa, a group of stately covered bridges inspired an enduring love story.

Called the Covered Bridge Capitol of Iowa, Madison County once boasted 19 bridges. Six remain, including the Roseman Covered Bridge, the Cedar Covered Bridge, Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge, Hogback Covered Bridge, Holliwell Covered Bridge, and Imes Covered Bridge. Five of the bridges are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The setting inspired a book by Robert James Waller called The Bridges of Madison County. It sold 50 million copies worldwide, making it one of the 20th century’s bestselling novels. Three years after publication, the novel was adapted into a 1995 film starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood, who also directed. It was later adapted to a musical in 2013. 

The Bridges of Madison County was filmed in the Winterset area in 1994. Fans who visit the Roseman Bridge (most prominently featured in the film) can leave their mark on the interior. Messages about of love can be found scribbled in dozens of languages on the walls.

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RFrolicArts

Edited By

Darrell Powers

  • Darrell Powers

Published

January 20, 2025

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  • https://www.madisoncounty.com/the-covered-bridges/
  • https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/14/movies/if-you-film-it-there-the-tourists-will-surely-come.html
The Bridges of Madison County
2451 Elderberry Ave
Winterset, Iowa, 50273
United States
41.293, -94.14915
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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iowa

Iowa

United States

Places 74
Stories 10

Nearby Places

John Wayne's Birthplace

Winterset, Iowa

miles away

Bonnie and Clyde Dexter Shootout Marker

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miles away

Huston Cemetery

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iowa

Iowa

United States

Places 74
Stories 10

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