The Bridges of Madison County are located in Madison County, Iowa. If you haven't been living under a rock some where there was a book and a movie made about the bridges. Even Oprah Winfrey came to Winterset to interview the author of the book for her show. It was a love story between Francesca (Meryl Steep) and Robert (Clint Eastwood).
There were 22 bridges originally with only 6 remaining. They have fallen either to decay or vandalism. The remaining 6 bridges have surveillance cameras to discourage vandalism.
CUTLER-DONAHOE BRIDGE
The Cutler-Donahoe Bridge was built in 1870 and is 79 feet long. The Bridges were given names from the local farm-owners that lived close by. Two families claimed "naming rights" for this Bridge, the Cutlers and the Donahoes. It was moved from it's original location crossing the North River near Bevington, IA to Winterset for protection in 1970. This bridge was also located in the city park where we were camping for the week.
CEDAR BRIDGE
Cedar Bridge was built in 1883 and is 77 feet long. It is the only remaining covered bridge open to car traffic. This is the bridge that was in the movie The Bridges of Madison County and was also on the cover of the Book. This is the Bridge that Oprah Winfrey recorded her show in the spring of 1993. There were over 300 people that showed up for the taping of her show when she interviewed Robert Waller, the author the Bridges of Madison County.
IMES BRIDGE
Imes Bridge was built in 1870 and is 81 feet long. Imes Bridge originally crossed the Middle River, west of Paterson, Iowa. It was moved in 1887 then again in 1977 into the community of St Charles. Iowa. The move was prompted by a desire to protect the bridge from vandalism.
HOGBACK BRIDGE
Hogback Bridge was built in 1884 and is 106 feel long. Most of the covered bridges in Madison County were named for landowners nearby, however, there were no records of any Hogback family names in the genealogy record. Hogback have have acquired its less-than-romantic name because of the wooded hills surrounding the bridge. The wind turbine and a solar panel on the bridge is the source of power for the surveillance camera. I thought it was cool that someone planeted a whole field of black-eyed susans.
Farmers living nearby, to defray their Poll Tax, maintained many of the covered bridges. This was a tax placed on every citizen, which had to be paid before one was allowed to vote, Thus, any able-bodied man, who could not afford to pay the Poll Tax would grade the roads and shingle and paint the bridges to pay off this debt.
HOLLIWELL BRIDGE
Holliwell Bridge was completed in 1880 and is 110 feet long. The bridge has always been at this location but the supporting abutments were often washed out by flooding, so they have changed the angle that the bridge crossed the Middle River. This bridge was also featured in the move of The Bridges of Madison county.
ROSEMAN BRIDGE
The Roseman Bridge was constructed in 1883 and is 106 feet in length. The Roseman bridge claim to fame when it was featured in the move, "Bridges of Madison County". The southwest side of the bridge is where 'Francesca' tucked her note to 'Robert' , telling him to come for supper "anytime the white moths fly". There are little holes where she placed her love notes. A little repulica of the bridge was built as a bird house and placed near the bridge.
The bridge had been renovated and painted a bright red just before thee film company came to shoot the movie. Clint Eastwood, the Producer/Director/Actor wanted the bridge to look old and in disrepair so he devised a plan to return the bridge to its former look. The crew mixed powered milk, Karo syrup and another ingredient to paint the three bridges that would be used in the films scenes. After the "paint' was dry a blow dryer was used to crack the paint and make it curl and peal, adding to the old, weathered look. A few of the boards were also removed from the sides, completing the 'look'. The county was assured that, after a few rains, the mixture would wash off, restoring the bright red color once again, However, a number of rains did not wash away the weathered look and workmen had to come back and repaint the three bridges.
There you have a bit more history lesson with a touch of Hollywood thrown in.
Until later......safe travels to all.
Barb and Jim
