Des Moines Haunted Stories & Tours ·

Roseman Covered Bridge. Winterset, Iowa.

Visitors have reported hearing muffled laughs or men yelling, and the sound of wagon wheels from time to time would regularly roll through the bridge. Some swear they can hear them crossing the bridge's floor. There's even an inexplicably cold spot right in the middle of the bridge where some have seen apparitions. People have also described unusual experiences when walking their dogs over the bridge. Dogs will panic and grow reluctant at crossing the bridge, sensing an unseen presence. There are at least two haunting stories in the bridge's past, if you believe the legends. One involves forbidden love. According to the story, a young couple in love was doomed because of the woman's father's disapproval of the relationship. One night, the young man came to visit his love, and instead was met by her father and friends. The group chased after the young man, who immediately turned and galloped away from them on his horse. The angry crowd chasing him claimed to have seen him go into the bridge on horseback, but only the horse emerged from the other end. The young man was never seen or heard from again. Another story from the bridge's history involves an escaped convict. According to the legend, a man escaped from the Madison County Jail and was being chased by the sheriff's posse straight into the bridge. The men went to either end of the bridge to catch him as he exited the bridge. Suddenly, the onlookers heard a bloodcurdling scream coming from the escaped convict. They went inside the bridge to investigate, but he was gone. It was as if he vanished into thin air. Whether you believe the legends or not, there's definitely something a little spooky about this covered bridge in Iowa.

Kevin took me here for an anniversary surprise years ago. had a real digital camera back then. when I ordered pics they came on disc or something, not prints. not even sure where they are now. but I was there, one day in September. I even remember I was wearing jeans, tennies, and my green Girl Scout sweatshirt I won at a cookie meeting...did I have a spooky experience? I don't recollect.