Madison County, Iowa, is internationally famous for two primary cultural touchstones: its historic covered bridges and its status as the birthplace of the legendary American actor John Wayne. The county’s six extant covered bridges—including the Roseman Covered Bridge and Holliwell Bridge—gained global recognition after being featured in Robert James Waller’s 1992 novella, The Bridges of Madison County, and the subsequent 1995 film and 2014 musical adaptations. These structures, originally designed by Harvey P. Jones and George K. Foster, serve as iconic landmarks that draw tourists interested in both local history and the romantic literary legacy of the region. Additionally, the county seat, Winterset, celebrates its association with John Wayne through a dedicated museum, further cementing the county’s place in American cultural history.