Madison County has many stories to tell that are the stuff of legends. The abundance of natural beauty in Madison County is the background against which these stories unfold, stories of people of unique character who made their mark on American life and our cultural landscape. Stories of a place that must be experienced first-hand.

From its heartland beauty to its storied history, Madison County is an American legend, a place with the soul of this country—honest, authentic, with warmth, history and depth of character.

Click on Visit & Explore for downloading maps of the county and for bridge locations.  For brochures highlighting historical information, attractions and movie sites, contact the Madison County Chamber of Commerce toll free at 800-298-6119, or send an Email to chamber@madisoncounty.com

Facebook
From African American agricultural revolutionaries to the Delicious Apple, Hall of Fame baseball players to movie stars, Madison County has a history like no other.

Banner

Discover Madison County, Iowa

Welcome to the birthplace of John Wayne and home of the historic covered bridges popularized by Robert James Waller's novel The Bridges of Madison County and the feature film starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood.  

 

 

Sponsored by West Bridge Care & Rehabilitation Independent Living Apartments, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing Care. Contact Tammy Bushong today for a tour 515-201-4965 or 515-462-1711

What’s more American than John Wayne and Pie?

Pie really is an American icon—much like John Wayne—so combining Pie Squared with the John Wayne Birthday Celebration was a natural union and by all accounts a good one! Last year over 2000 pieces of genuine homemade pie of every imaginable kind (baked by the “church ladies” of Madison County) were consumed by Pie Squared attendees! 

So join us on Saturday, May 26th from 12:30pm until 3:00pm for the SECOND ANNUAL Pie Squared—An All American Celebration of Pie event in conjunction with the John Wayne Birthday Celebration. Pie stations will be set up around the historic Madison County Courthouse Square and tasting tickets will be available for one dollar each. Each ticket will be good for one taste (one tenth of a pie) and attendees can sample as many homemade pies as they choose. Savor the delights from the legendary “church ladies” from all over Madison County, who will be baking over 225 pies. The proceeds will be split between the participating churches and the Madison County Chamber of Commerce which provides community programs and services to residents of Madison County.  In addition to pie, ice cream and fresh squeezed lemonade will be available.

 

CLICK HERE for an event schedule

 

The Winterset Stage Presents the Premiere

of Maurice Walsh’s "The Quiet Man”

As 2012 marks the 60th anniversary of the Academy Award-winning film “The Quiet Man” starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, The Winterset Stage is pleased to present the premiere of “Maurice Walsh’s The Quiet Man”, a stage version of the beloved story. The Winterset Stage is working with the John Wayne Birthplace to bring “Maurice Walsh’s The Quiet Man” as one of the features in this year’s John Wayne Birthday Celebration May 25-27 in Winterset. Inspired by a 1933 Saturday Evening Post article, "Maurice Walsh's The Quiet Man" tells the story of a retired American boxer who returns to the village in Ireland where he was born and finds love.

Starring David Oddy, James Serpento, Jay Villwock, Craig Petersen, Angela Vogel, Meghan Vosberg, John O’Neal, and Ethan Newman, “Maurice Walsh’s The Quiet Man” is sure to make you laugh, touch your heart, and boasts large support from Maureen O’Hara herself! Written by Frank Mahon and directed by Jennifer Ross Nostrala, “Maurice Walsh’s The Quiet Man” is just one special event you must see during the 2012 John Wayne Birthday Celebration in Winterset.

Winterset, located just 25 minutes southwest of Jordan Creek Town Center, is an ideal spot to relax and enjoy time with the whole family in one of Iowa’s beautiful historic towns.  The annual John Wayne Birthday Celebration brings thousands to quaint Winterset every year. In addition to “Maurice Walsh’s The Quiet Man”, Loopline Film is premiering the documentary "Dreaming the Quiet Man"; the John Wayne Birthplace is presenting a Museum Benefit dinner, John Wayne’s daughter, Aissa Wayne will auction unique “Quiet Man” items; Madison County Chamber of Commerce is hosting Pie Squared; Little Dublin Irish Pub will have live Irish music; and much more!

For more information about “Maurice Walsh’s The Quiet Man”, go to www.thewintersetstage.org or call Cindy Stanbro at 515-556-4297. For more information about all the events going on in Winterset during the 2012 John Wayne Birthday Celebration, go to www.johnwaynebirthplace.org/birthday.

 

 

43rd Annual

Covered Bridge Festival

 Saturday, October 13th & Sunday, October 14th, 2012

Vendor Applications now available & due back by July 1st. Click Here for more information!

 

Submit your Memorable Madison County Stories  

This year's 43rd Annual Covered Bridge Festival will take place October 13th - 14th & the theme is "The Stories of Madison County!" We welcome all visitors and residents of our county to share your stories of exploration, love, or what experiences enticed you to make Madison County your home! To submit stories, contact Rich Mills by emailing rich@richmills.us with the subject line "Stories of Madison County!" or call: #515-468-8500. All types of stories related to our county are welcome.

If you have not yet experienced all that we have to offer, there is still plenty of time to create your own stories of Madison County. If you are seeking to recapture that old “hometown” feeling you remember from your youth, or you simply find the small-town, rural way of life appealing, it still exists in Madison County!

 

 

 

Discover the Heartland of America

Located just 30 minutes from Des Moines, Madison County includes the towns of Winterset, Earlham, Bevington, Patterson, Macksburg, St. Charles, East Peru and Truro, Iowa.

It’s a fascinating and fun place to visit, explore and live, with a rich history, enticing shopping and dining, welcoming lodgings, a thriving business community, a responsive economic development group, and a whole calendar’s worth of great community events.