Winterset, Iowa: How To Experience Hollywood In A Small Town

 

Winterset, Iowa: How To Experience Hollywood In A Small Town.

Let’s face it. Many people don’t travel through small towns because they think there’s not much to see or do. But nothing is further from reality. The truth is, a highway to Hollywood runs through Winterset, Iowa. Only fifteen minutes from the interstate, see how this Madison County town, packs a punch, much like Hollywood legend John Wayne.  

“All the screen cowboys behaved like real gentlemen. They didn’t drink; they didn’t smoke. When they knocked the bad guy down, they always stood with their fists up, waiting for the heavy to get back on his feet. I decided I was going to drag the bad guy to his feet and keep hitting him.” 

John Wayne

Most people know Madison County from the world-famous Robert James Waller novel, The Bridges of Madison County, and the movie with the same namesake starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. But, since Madison County is the birthplace of rough and tough John Wayne, what better way to tell its story than with famous quotes from “The Duke” himself? Relax, sit back and imagine John Wayne as your backset tour guide. 

Besides, as The Duke said, “We’re burnin’ daylight,” so let’s get going.

Lights, camera, action!

 

The Bridges Of Madison County

 

“Well, there are some things a man just can’t run away from”

John Wayne

You can’t run away from Madison County’s six historic covered bridges. Take the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway tour for an enjoyable drive through Iowa’s rolling hills. You’ll certainly understand why the scenic areas enhanced Robert James Waller’s novel and the movie. Read the book before or after visiting to deepen your experience.

 “I’ve loved reading all my life.” 

John Wayne

 

Winterset City Park

 

You’ll have difficulty finding a more excellent small-town city park than Winterset’s. In fact, it’s common for Des Moines residents to drive the easy forty-minute route to spend a day here. When we were there, we saw all ages enjoying activities.  

You’ll immediately see the captivating 79-foot-long Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge, built in 1870, at the one-way Clark Tower Loop auto-trail entrance. The covered bridge is the perfect spot for photos, from selfies to weddings.

You can also see the monument in Winterset City Park marking the nearby discovery of the Delicious apple. The 1922 monument commemorates Madison County farmer Jessie Hiatt and his breakthrough apple variety in 1872. But there’s so much more to see in Winterset City Park.

“Well, forget the apples. Slap some bacon on a biscuit and let’s go!” 

John Wayne

 

For an outstanding view, climb to the top of Clark Tower, which overlooks the Middle River Valley. The limestone tower is a favorite attraction for the park at 25 feet tall and sitting on a hilltop. Children and adults let their imaginations roam free at the 1926 castle-like tower. Access the top by the outside winding stone staircase, then the roof by a steep metal staircase inside. 

You can drive or hike to Clark Tower. Hiking the 2.3-mile Clark Tower Loop Trail makes an excellent way to explore the forest and look for wildlife. Imagine visiting in Fall during the prime leaf-peeping season.

 

More ways to enjoy Winterset City Park include:

 

• Hedge Maze. The English-style hedge maze is between the Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge and a covered picnic area. Find your way to the middle, where a sundial awaits.
• Visit the stone bridge that Robert and Francesca walk over on their way to their picnic scene in The Bridges of Madison County movie.  
• See the historic log cabin built by Andrew Bennett in 1852.
• Watch for wildlife. We saw wild turkeys, deer, and lots of birds.
• Hike
• Bike
• Walk your dog
• Enjoy the playground
• Sand volleyball
• Bocce Ball court
• Have a picnic at numerous tables in the park or three limestone shelters for larger groups. 
• Camp in the park. The campground has forty sites with electric, water, sewer hookups, shower/restroom building, and five tent sites.

 

John Wayne Birthplace & Museum

 

“I’m the stuff men are made of.” 

John Wayne

Of course, how can a visit to Winterset be complete without seeing where The Duke was born? Starring in 142 movies and one of America’s most famous actors, John Wayne’s career spanned from the 1930s through the 1970s. Even though his films covered many genres, most know him for his tough-guy persona in westerns. As far as modern box office draws, he might be compared to Tom Cruise, only much taller at 6’4″ tall. Although, you can’t compare their personalities.

Even if you’re unfamiliar with the Hollywood legend, a tour of the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum should be on your plan. The museum has loads of fun and exciting exhibits from movie sets and the movie industry.  

 

 

This is important. Sit in the theater seats and watch the intro documentary. In the first place, these particular seats were first in Hollywood’s Grauman’s Chinese Theater, where the movie industry’s biggest stars sat. Imagine how many and which movie stars sat in these seats before you.

 

After the museum, tour the house where the legend was born. We found all tour guides knowledgeable and helpful, but one stood out. If you’re lucky, you’ll get Skip. 

Inside the house tour, Skip told us about John Wayne’s original name, Marion Robert Morrison, and how he got his nickname “The Duke.” Later, as a kid, the family moved to Glendale, California, where young Marion and his younger brother would visit the local firehouse. Their dog, an Airedale named Duke, would always tag along, so the firemen started calling them by the same name.

“Hell, the truth is that I was named after a dog!”

John Wayne

 

George Leslie Stout “The Monuments Men” 

 

Most people have never heard of George Leslie Stout, even though George Clooney wrote, directed, and starred as Stout’s main character in the 2014 movie, The Monuments Men. Based on a true story, Stout was a member of a U.S. Army unit assigned to recovering and protecting monuments, fine arts, art, and archives (MFAA) during the latter stages of World War II. Nazi Germany plundered, stole, and hid these crucial works in invaded countries. Thus, Stout’s unit was also known as “The Monuments Men.”  

“A man’s got to have a code, a creed to live by, no matter his job.” 

John Wayne

Along with other locations, from 1944-1945, Stout commanded U.S. Army units in Europe to inventory and remove several thousand artistic works hidden in salt mines, churches, and repositories.

For example, in 1945, Stout and his men packed and relocated Michelangelo’s Madonna of Brugges from salt mines in Altaussee, Austria. They protected the statue by wrapping it in the best packing material available, Belgian lace.

“All battles are fought by scared men who’d rather be some place else.” 

John Wayne

Before his role in World War II, Stout devised and established three crucial sectors of art conservation: rudiments, degradation, and reparations. After the mission of protecting cultural heritage in World War II ended, Stout fostered and accelerated the field of art conservation.

 

The Iowa Theater

My folks always let me go to the movies every Saturday. We were really motion-picture goers

John Wayne

 

Where’s the best place to liberate tension from a city’s fast pace? Simple, the Iowa Theater.  

All roads around the Winterset’s courthouse square guide you to the theater’s warm marquee glow, boldly proclaiming this week’s movies. The same memories created in the past now happen for today’s generation. Something special lies in wait at small-town movie theaters.

Park on the side of a curb in front of local businesses, not a mall parking lot, and window shop on the way. Look over upcoming movie posters to see which ones excite you, then step up to an old-fashioned ticket box where cash can still buy tickets.  

Once inside, smells of fresh popcorn popping announce you’ve arrived and that shortly you can settle into your cushioned seat. Ordering popcorn and a drink are effortless, but the real challenge is choosing a sweet treat. Because you always need something sweet to go with popcorn at the movies. For me, something chocolate wins every time. Choosing snacks always seems to be the last hurdle before falling into total relaxation before the movie starts. Welcome to the Iowa Theater. Enjoy the show!

INSIDER TIP: The Iowa Theater uses real butter on its Iowa-grown popcorn.

 

“My folks always let me go to the movies every Saturday. We were really motion-picture goers.” 

John Wayne

Be Inspired at Winterset’s Iowa Theater

 

In a small town, a theater on the square meant more than memories. Some people can pinpoint their time spent watching movies as life-changing. They saw what life looked like in a different place other than their own. In many instances, other states and countries. Movies inspire us to travel, whether physically or in our minds.

Fortunately, the Iowa Theater has recently been restored after it fell into disrepair and closed in 2015. Notice the solid oak doors and woodwork in the theater’s terrazzo floor ticket lobby. Most importantly, the marquee, ticket booth, and ticket lobby are original from around the 1930s, which can keep creating memories for today’s generation. 

 “Nobody should come to the movies unless he believes in heroes.” 

John Wayne

 

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How To Get To Winterset, Iowa

 

From I-80, take Highway 169 in De Soto south to Winterset.  

From I-35, take Highway 251 through St. Charles to Clark Tower Road, then go north into Winterset. Next to I-35 and before St. Charles, stop at Covered Bridge Park to see Imes Covered Bridge, one of the six in Madison County.

 

Final Thoughts

 

You can have an experience to remember for the rest of your life in Madison County, Iowa. But only if you’re willing to take a short 15-minute drive off the interstate.

To put that into perspective, you can accomplish these things in about fifteen minutes. (Thanks to our friends in our Facebook group, Road Trips and Small Town Travel, for your 15-minute list ideas.)

• Clean out the refrigerator

• Walk one mile

• Walk your dog

• A phone call to brighten someone’s day

• Vacuum

• Take a shower

• Feed the birds

• Read and comment on someone’s blog

• Take photos

• Leave Google reviews

• Do the dishes

• Fold laundry

• Listen to four songs

• Tell friends why you’ve enjoyed watching your favorite old movie

 

If you’re open to a Madison County visit, staying overnight would be best since there’s so much to see and do. Always remember what John Wayne said,

“Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and puts itself in our hands. It hopes we’ve learned something from yesterday.”

So, if you haven’t been to Madison County,

“A man deserves a second chance, but keep an eye on him.” 

John Wayne