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