Parvin Covered Bridge - A Bright White Classic 1921 Span

The Parvin Covered Bridge crosses Lost Creek in Lane County, southeast of Pleasant Hill and a short hop off OR‑58 near Dexter and Lowell. This bright white span is a classic Oregon Howe truss.

Built in 1921, the single‑lane, 75‑foot (23 m) bridge links quiet farm roads and rolling hills. Today, you can still drive it and feel that old Oregon charm around you.

I like how light slips through the siding and paints soft lines on the beams. You hear the creek below and a faint echo as tires roll over the plank deck. Do you enjoy that calm wood‑and‑water vibe too? It's simple, and it sticks with you.

If you want to keep exploring, add Dexter Reservoir, Lowell Covered Bridge, and the Willamette Valley backroads loop. It's an easy stop on a Highway 58 day trip from Eugene.

Parvin Covered Bridge History

If you love Oregon covered bridges, this site is a sweet Willamette Valley classic. The first bridge here went up in the late 1880s. In 1917, Inspector J. W. McArthur said the old Howe truss was worm‑eaten and failing. His warning led to a full replacement within a few years.

In 1921, Lane County hired builder George W. Breeding. He erected the current Howe truss for $3,617 (about $63,800 in today's dollars). The bridge spans 75 feet (23 m) with a 62‑foot (19 m) east approach and a 17‑foot (5.2 m) west approach. It served local farms near Dexter, Pleasant Hill, and Lowell.

Roadwork in the mid‑1970s realigned traffic and bypassed the span. For years, only pedestrians crossed. Then the story turned. In 1979, Parvin Covered Bridge joined the National Register of Historic Places. On November 17, 1986, Lane County reopened the renovated bridge to vehicles with a posted 10‑ton (9,100 kg) limit.

Lane County holds more covered bridges than any other Oregon county, and Parvin fits right in. It's small, tidy, and photogenic. As you roll up, the bright portals frame fields and maples. Inside, the timber shows clean diagonals and sturdy chords. Moreover, you can hear Lost Creek talk under the deck.

I like golden hour here. The white siding glows, and shadows stretch across the planks. Do you like soft light for photos? This is your window. On a mild day after rain, the wood smell rises, and the creek sound turns crisp.