Bridge School Is Closed
After 119 Years Of Service
Monroe Evening News
September 14, 1946

The Bridge School, recognized as Michigan’s first rural school, has concluded 119 years of service to the residents of Grape and its surrounding farming area. The school celebrated its centennial in 1928 and reunion gatherings of its graduates were conducted regularly for many years.

The decision to close the school was a difficult one to make, Edward H. Rath, director of the school board said, but it was made in the belief that the children of the district could obtain better school services at Dundee, about seven miles distant. The school transported its seventh and eighth grade pupils to Dundee last year and now is transporting the entire membership of 48 boys and girls. A bus, driven by George Rath, now is being used with purchase of a newer, modern school bus being considered.

The building was in need of considerable repair and that also was a factor in deciding to transport the youngsters to Dundee. Walter Grams (left), who succeeded Harrison Dentel as teacher at the school eight years ago, now is teaching at the Heck School on Albain Road, also in Raisinville Township. The school board, in addition to Mr. Rath includes Edward Miller, moderator, and Clarence Ziesmer, treasurer.

The history of the Bridge School began April 7th, 1828, when a group of trappers, hunters and farmers met to organize Raisinville Township and the school district. During the summer, a building “bee” was called to construct the tiny, one-room log school, erected on the west line of George Sorter’s farm. The school opened in the fall with seven pupils in attendance.

Teachers “boarded around” at the various farms, often walking long distances to and from the school. The job was strictly for “he-men” who could handle students of all ages, there being no age limit in the early days. Clashes were frequent, and decisions went to the pupil as often as to the master. In 1832, a larger building was needed and it was constructed on the present location of the school, one half mile east of the original site. The second building was also made of logs.

Another, larger building was formed of two inch, black walnut plank in 1843.This school house when replaced by the brick structure, was removed to a nearby farm and used for many years as a carriage house. The building always has been available for community meetings, as evidenced by township records containing many accounts of sessions “in the school house.”