Louden Bridge-on the Fairfield Loop Trail

The 246-foot Louden Bridge was built in 2004 to allow the Fairfield Loop Trail to cross the BNSF Railroad tracks near Chautauqua Park (a Fairfield City Park).

From Judy Bales website... The name of the bridge was changed to Louden Bridge in 2013, in honor of the Louden Machinery Company which was the inspiration for the art enhancements to the bridge. This project was commissioned by the Jefferson County Trails Council, with support from an NEA Challenge America Grant. The artist collaborated with the project team for the design of the protective steel cage and interior enhancements.

This design was inspired by several historic structures, particularly the timber framework of locally designed and manufactured Louden barns.

The historic theme continues in the ceramic tiles that enhance the bridge’s interior. Ms. Bales and Fairfield High School art teacher Mark Shafer developed a curriculum for advanced art students to design and glaze 171 tiles, in sets of three, for the bridge’s concrete curb. The tiles depict details of Louden barn blueprints and Louden Machinery parts catalogs.

See more of Judy Bale's photos and stories on her website, and more about community involvement and public art designs regarding this bridge on another of Judy Bale's websites.

Louden Bridge on the Fairfield Loop Trail, built in 2004

The bridge displays 171 ceramic plaques of images from Louden blueprints, made by a Fairfield High School art class.

Arial view of the bridge by Judy Bales.

Photo by Judy Bales of one of the tiles.

The Louden Bridge crosses the BNSF mainline tracks. (This and photos below by Chris Hallenger)

Note the framework inspired by the timber framework of locally designed and manufactured Louden barns, and the tiles mounted in the bridge sidewall.

Mark Shafer's art class at Fairfield High School designed and glazed these tiles.

There are 171 of these tiles mounted in the bridge sidewall, which feature Louden Machinery Company products.

Louden, a premier Fairfield company, sold barn products throughout the world.