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 (see below). 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
(left) won two county wide spelling bees during her days at
the school. Verdell Giebel and
Harold Heiden
(right) 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.