Winterset, Iowa

Home of the covered bridges

Birthplace of John Wayne

(Be patient please while this page loads)

Winterset was famous for being the birthplace of actor John Wayne but has become a tourist trap for anyone who enjoyed Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep in the movie "The Bridges of Madison County". The small town of Winterset is within Madison County, Iowa and the bridges were built in the 1800's.

Madison County Map

The covered bridges in Madison County were originally covered to help preserve the large flooring timbers, which were much more expensive to replace than the lumber used on the bridge sides and roof. There were originally 7 covered bridges but about 3 years ago the McBride bridge was burned down accidentally by a lovesick local after a quarrel with his girlfriend.

Places of interest (click to see more pics)

    Birthplace of John Wayne                       Clark Tower (1926)

    Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge (1870)                Hogback Covered Bridge (1884)        

    Imes Covered Bridge (1870)                                            

Local Features from movie

    Cedar Covered Bridge (1883)                     

    Holliwell Covered Bridge (1880)   

    Roseman Covered Bridge (1883)                                    

     Francesca's House (from movie)              Francesca's Marriage Certificate          

    Stone Bridge                    Texaco Station

Back