One of several covered bridges in Madison County, Iowa, this bridge is on the site of the first bridge that was built in 1860. The bridge in this image is the replacement bridge that was constructed in 1880 and open to traffic until 1986.
The first bridge to span the Middle River near Winterset, Iowa, the Holliwell Bridge was featured in the movie Bridges of Madison County. The bridge was renovated in 1996 and now sits off the main road. This is the only bridge in Madison County to feature a long curved beam that acts like an arch, part of the support system of the structure.
In rural communities, bridges like the one in this image and others in the surrounding area are landmarks that honor the ingenuity of the past.