It is not known how many covered bridges were built in Iowa between 1850 and 1900, but a conservative estimate would be a hundred or more. Almost all have been destroyed by flooding, fire, collisions, vandalism, or demolition, leaving only a few remaining examples.

Iowa's current covered bridges are fairly well clustered together over a 90-mile area extending just below Des Moines, the state capital. They are all located in fairly close proximity to State Highway No. 92. Some of the bridges are only a few miles off the highway and others are no more than 12 miles away from this main route. The greatest concentration of bridges is found in Madison County with six. There are also three in Marion County and one each in Keokuk and Polk counties.

Madison has adopted the slogan of the "Covered Bridge County" and Winterset, the county seat, may well be called "The Covered Bridge Capital of the Middle West" with six well-preserved bridges still in use, all within a 15-mile radius of Winterset, and the largest concentration of covered bridges west of the Mississippi.

The community takes great pride in these well-preserved symbols of America's past. Credit for saving the six bridges in Madison County is largely shared by the County Historical Society, the County Board of Supervisors, and concerned individuals.

Madison County originally had 16 covered bridges but they dwindled away one by one until the count reached ten in 1933. In that year the historical society launched a vigorous campaign to save them. The fight to maintain the bridges was finally won after long deliberations and opposition.

In the meantime, three more bridges disappeared between 1933 and 1948. One was destroyed by vandals, one abandoned bridge was dismantled at the request of a farmer who complained of it being an "eyesore" and another was replaced by a modern concrete and steel structure. This marked the turning point in the fight to keep the bridges in the county. The remaining bridges were then given a new lease on life when the board of supervisors decided to throw its full weight into the project. Funds were set aside to repair all of Madison's bridges. A thorough survey was made of the spans and more sound underpinnings in the form of concrete and steel piers were ordered to add to their permanency. Steel I-beams and heavy bolts were also inserted where it appeared the wooden timbers needed reinforcing. Today a total of six bridges remain.

Photographed in May of 2023