The Black Hawk Bridge: A Driftless Area Landmark

Built during the height of the Great Depression, the Black Hawk Bridge has linked northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin since 1931--an enduring symbol of connection across the Upper Mississippi River. For nearly a century, the bridge has stood at the heart of the Driftless Area, spanning not only water, but generations of history, industry, and daily life. From its early days as a toll bridge to its role in shaping regional travel and commerce, the Black Hawk Bridge has remained a defining landmark in a landscape untouched by glaciers and rich in natural beauty.Now, as the original structure gives way to a modern successor, this photographic essay preserves the bridge in its final years--capturing its form, its setting, and the quiet moments that have long defined its presence. Through striking images and carefully researched essays, The Black Hawk Bridge offers a visual and historical tribute to a structure that has both shaped and reflected the character of the Driftless region. More than a bridge, it is a place--remembered, revisited, and reimagined for generations to come