Madison County seat, named for a cold summer

Asphalt Paving in Winterset, IA

Covered bridges, a courthouse square and a lot of older homes.

Every estimate is free and in writing
City right-of-way permits identified before the schedule is set
Base, thickness and drainage spelled out line by line

Paving in the Covered Bridge Town

Asphalt paving in Winterset serves an old county seat with a rural edge. Winterset was platted in the summer of 1849 during a cool spell, and commissioners changed the planned name Summerset to Winterset because of the cold. It is the seat of Madison County, about 30 miles southwest of Des Moines, at 1,099 feet. The population was 4,768 in 2000 and 5,353 in 2020. The Madison County Courthouse, built in 1868 and rebuilt in 1876 after a fire, stands in the middle of the square.

Weather

Winterset's records show 34.79 inches of precipitation and 30.7 inches of snow a year, with a record low of minus 35 and a record high of 112 degrees. That range is hard on asphalt: hard freezes crack it, and August heat softens it. Compaction and thickness handle summer; crack filling and sealing handle winter.

Older homes and the square

Many Winterset homes are older, with driveways that have been patched or overlaid. Businesses around the courthouse square have small, busy lots. We check the base before recommending an overlay and phase lot work so businesses stay open.

Festivals and visitors

The Covered Bridge Festival is held the second weekend of October, and the John Wayne Birthplace Museum, opened in 2015, draws visitors year-round. Lots that serve visitors should be patched, sealed and restriped before the fall festival, which means summer scheduling.

Rural drives

Many homes near Winterset are on county roads. Where a project includes the entrance at a county road, we confirm Madison County's requirements before scheduling.

Our approach

Site visit, written quote, and paving scheduled for warm, dry weather.

John Wayne visitors

The John Wayne Birthplace Museum opened in 2015 at a cost of $2.5 million and covers 6,000 square feet. Visitors come year-round, and nearby businesses need lots that are smooth and clearly marked.

Planning

In Winterset, the safe window for sealing usually closes by early October. If you want a lot ready for the Covered Bridge Festival, plan the work for July or August.

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Winterset Facts

Cold-summer name. Winterset was platted in 1849 during a cool summer spell; commissioners changed the planned name Summerset to Winterset because of the cold.
County seat. Winterset is the seat of Madison County; its courthouse in the town square was built in 1868 and rebuilt in 1876 after a partial fire.
Climate. Winterset averages 34.79 inches of precipitation and 30.7 inches of snow a year, with a record low of minus 35 and a record high of 112 degrees.
Covered bridges. Six covered bridges are in Madison County, one in Winterset City Park, and the Covered Bridge Festival is held the second weekend of October.

Pavement Striping in West Des Moines, IA

Our Services in Winterset, IA

Winterset Questions

Can you finish our lot before the Covered Bridge Festival?

Yes, if we schedule in summer. Fall weather gets too cool for sealing by mid-October.

Do you travel to Winterset?

Yes. We cover Madison County's county seat along with the western metro.

Can my older driveway be overlaid?

If the base is sound and the heights work at the garage and sidewalk, often yes.

Free Estimates in Winterset, IA

Free estimates for Winterset homes and businesses.

Call (515) 642-3887 Free Estimate