Hogback Covered Bridge, Southeast Iowa Travel Guide

The Hogback Covered Bridge, located a few miles northwest of Winterset, Iowa, is a captivating piece of history. Built in 1884 by Harvey P. Jones and George K. Foster, it originally spanned the North River. The bridge gets its name not from a local family, as with some other bridges, but from a distinctive limestone ridge with a curved shape resembling a hog's back.Constructed using a Town lattice truss system, the 106-foot-long bridge showcases the ingenuity of 19th-century engineering. This design, featuring a crisscrossing pattern of planks, allowed for a sturdy structure without the need for massive stone abutments. The bridge's timber frame is covered with plank siding and a gently curved bow roof, adding to its charm. Steel pylons were incorporated into the design to provide additional support.The Hogback Covered Bridge is more than just a pretty structure; it's a survivor. Originally, Madison County had around 19 covered bridges, but only six remain today. The Hogback Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, recognizing its historical significance. In 1992, the bridge underwent a significant rehabilitation to ensure its preservation for future generations. While it was bypassed by a new concrete bridge in 1993, it remains a cherished landmark.While most covered bridges were named after the family who lived closest to the bridge, the Hogback Bridge is named after a geographical feature. The ridge line at the west end of the valley is formed from two overlapping types of rock that erode at different rates, forming a structure known as a hogback.