Roseman Covered Bridge in Winterset, Iowa

Made popular by the book and movie “The Bridges of Madison County,” Iowa’s Roseman Covered Bridge is one of six, and arguably one of the most famous surviving historic covered bridges in the US, remaining bridges of the original 19 establishments erected in the region.

The bridge, built in 1883, is famous for being the romantic backdrop for Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, but it’s also rumored to be haunted. According to sources, two eerie folktales involve this bridge.

The first tells the story of a father’s objection to his daughter’s boyfriend. One night, the young man rode toward his lover’s home, planning to be with her but found her father and his buddies instead.

They chased him across Roseman Bridge, but the young gentleman disappeared when the horse emerged from the other side.

The second story about this surviving historic covered bridge tells the tale of an escaped convict who was blocked off on both sides of the bridge by law enforcement. He apparently screamed, and disappeared into thin air, never to be found again!