Near Winterset in Madison County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Hogback Covered Bridge
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2014
1. Hogback Covered Bridge Marker
By: Benton Jones
Type: Covered Timber Town Lattice Truss
overlaid by a Queenpost Frame
Size: 160 feet (98 ft truss with two 62 ft
approaches) x 15 feet wide
Jones was responsible for the last all-timber truss built in the county, known locally as the Hogback Covered Bridge. The Hogback Covered Bridge is in its original location. Hogback gets its name from the limestone ridge which forms the west end of the valley. It was renovated in 1992 at a cost of $118,810.
During the 1870's Madison County contracted for a series of timber trusses covered with roofs and walls. 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 so. Almost all have been destroyed by flooding, fire, collisions or demolition, leaving only a few remaining examples.
Erected 2012 by Madison County Antique Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the Covered Bridges, and the National Register of Historic Places series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.
Location. 41° 23.195′ N, 94° 2.869′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. North River Schoolhouse (approx. 1.1 miles away); Cedar Covered Bridge (approx. 3.3 miles away); 51 Jefferson Street (approx. 3.9 miles away); 53 Jefferson Street (approx. 3.9 miles away); 55 Jefferson Street (approx. 3.9 miles away); 124 North 1st Avenue (approx. 3.9 miles away); 57 Jefferson Street (approx. 3.9 miles away); 59 Jefferson Street (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winterset.
Regarding Hogback Covered Bridge. National Register (75339499) Statement of Significance
H.P. Jones constructed a number of covered bridges in the Winterset region. Although his structures were based upon the Town lattice plan popular in New England, Jones added details uniquely his own. Richard S. Allen writes; "For sub-structure, Jones used caisson piers, and he buttressed the sides of his spans with taut guy rods attached to protruding floor beams. Inside, his singleweb lattices were usually given the extra reinforcement of auxiliary arches, queenposts,
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2014
2. Hogback Covered Bridge and Marker
Covered bridges are an endangered species throughout the United States, and merit preservation everywhere as examples of 19th-century utilitarian concepts. A bridge by Jones, with its combination of tradition and innovation in engineering, is if possible even more deserving of protection.
Also see . . .
1. Hogback Covered Bridge. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 16, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Hogback Covered Bridge National Register Nomination Form. (Submitted on November 22, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2014
3. Hogback Covered Bridge West Entrance
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2014
4. Hogback Covered Bridge Trusswork
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2014
5. Hogback Covered Bridge's Well-Worn Floor Planks
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2014
6. Hogback Covered Bridge Dreamer Journal Box
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2014
7. Hogback Covered Bridge
via NPS, unknown
8. Hogback Covered Bridge
National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
at NPGallery Digital Asset Management System
Click for more information.
at NPGallery Digital Asset Management System
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 597 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 18, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 8. submitted on April 16, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
