Located only about a mile from the home farm of Wm Carl Heiden was the Bridge School, which was the oldest public school in the state of Michigan. Throughout its long history, this school provided educational opportunities for children from the farms and homes within about a five mile radius. The school is located at the northwest corner of Dixon and Ida-Maybee Roads a short distance south of the bridge on the River Raisin.

William Carl and Mary (Rambow) Heiden attended the school as did all thirteen of their children. Many of their grandchildren, nieces and nephews also attended the famous one-room school.

There was one teacher, often a man, who taught lessons to each of the eight different elementary classes offered each day. While a particular class was being taught the remaining students were expected to stay seated quietly doing their lessons. Often, children would listen in on other classes and were well prepared when they moved up to that class the following year.

Heidens and their relatives were always involved in school activities at Bridge School. Wilma (Heiden) Bicking won two county wide spelling bees during her days at the school. Verdell Giebel and Harold Heiden served on a student committee that helped beautify the grounds by planting trees. Wm Carl Heiden served on the Arrangements Committee for the 100th Anniversary celebration in 1928. Many of the children played special roles in various school productions. Marie (Heiden) Tommelein played on the girls traveling basketball team.

 

"Pioneer settlers of Raisinville Township were the first citizens of Michigan to fully organize a school district which provided a building and financial support for basic education.

During 1928 the district built a log schoolhouse on land deeded to them by George Sorter. They named it after nearby Bruckner Bridge, newly completed across the River Raisin.

A larger structure built entirely of walnut replace the log house in 1832. The present brick building was erected in 1858 and added to in 1910. It served as a school continuously until 1950 after its consolidation with Dundee Community Schools.

In 1957, the Dundee School Board deeded the property to Monroe County Historical Society."