September, 2022
BLOOMSBURG –The Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau is excited to announce the arrival of its twelfth annual Covered Bridge puzzle. The newest limited-edition puzzle depicts a fall scene at the Parr’s Mill Bridge in Columbia County. Limited quantities remain available for the general public on a first-come, first-served basis. Puzzles are sold for $15, tax included. A $2 donation from every puzzle sold will be made by the Bureau to the Columbia County Covered Bridge Association.
Puzzles may be purchased at the Visitors Bureau Welcome Center, located at 121 Papermill Road in Bloomsburg during normal business hours (Monday – Friday; 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM). Puzzles are also available to be shipped anywhere in the continental United States for an additional shipping charge. Mail orders may be placed by calling the Welcome Center at 570-784-8279.
This year’s puzzle photo was taken by Ben Prepelka, who was honored earlier this year as the 2022 Covered Bridge photo contest winner. The Parr’s Mill Bridge spans the north branch of Roaring Creek and connects Franklin and Cleveland Townships. This Burr Truss arch span was built in 1865 by F.L. Shuman at a cost of $1,275. It is located four miles south of Catawissa on Parr’s Mill Road, off Ashton Hollow Road, east of Pennsylvania Route 487. Named after Washington Parr, who purchased the nearby Willow Grove Grist Mill in 1875, the bridge and mill became known as Parr’s Mill Bridge and Parr’s Mill, respectively.
In addition to the puzzles, there are also commemorative Covered Bridge & Arts Festival Christmas ornaments featuring the Rupert Bridge still available. Ornaments are being sold for $25 apiece and are also available at the Welcome Center. In future years, each of the twenty-five historic bridges in the Columbia-Montour County region will be featured with their own ornament.
