The Parvin Bridge

Parvin Covered Bridge, also known as “Lost Creek Bridge,” is a little off the beaten path but well worth the drive.  Set in a spectacular rural landscape, it has all the romantic charm one desires in a covered bridge.

“While I was Shooting this Covered Bridge a Gentleman was Walking his Dog, and he came up to me, and started to Talk about Covered Bridges, he said Before he Retired he used to Work for the State and he was the Bridge Inspector for the State of Oregon,  he talked about Old Bridges through out Oregon and then he told me about a Covered Bridge in Deadwood Oregon that was made just for Log Trucks at one time for a Mill and that the floor is Slanted to Accommodate the Trucks.   He said if I was ever in that Area its Worth Checking out.   He was very Interesting to Listen to and Talk to.   Guess where I will be Going? ” 

Originally a 66-foot (20 m) bridge spanned Lost Creek, a tributary of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River near the 1880s homestead of early pioneer settlers James and Salina Parvin. He ran a store and served as postmaster for eleven years. He was also active in the Dexter church.

• Built – 1880s (original),      In 1917, the first Parvin Bridge failed an inspection when significant worm damage and decay was noted. In 1921, George Breeding constructed an entirely new single lane bridge for a cost of $3,617 nearby. This became today’s Parvin Bridge.   

     

  

  The new bridge was bypassed in the 1970s when the road was realigned. For years it was only accessible to pedestrians. However, a renewed interest in Oregon’s covered bridges prompted Lane County to renovate and reopen the bridge to vehicular traffic in 1986. The granddaughters of James and Salina Parvin attended the re-dedication ceremony. In 1996, OBEC Consulting Engineers installed a new roof, replaced some supports, added new bridge rails, siding and paint. The bridge was raised an additional foot for increased clearance from river debris.