Thelma Schaak

The first school in Brownhelm was opened by Mrs. Alverson in her home in 1819. That fall the first school house was built where Claus Road enters North Ridge Road. A cheese factory stood there later and was operated by Mr. E. Ladrach. The school’s dimensions were 18 by 20 feet. In 1824 a yellow schoolhouse was built back of the cemetery on Sunnyside Road. In 1890 there were 10 district schools in Brownhelm Township, some still standing. One was on Highbridge Road and Route 6, another on Baumhart Road about half way between Cooper Foster-Park Road and North Ridge Road. Eight more are listed. Those with an asterisk still standing.

*North Ridge and Banks Road (Rugby), District No. 8.

*Darrow and West River, Hull District.

*Middle Ridge and Vermilion Road, District No. 4.

Baumhart and Middle Ridge, District No. 3.

*North Ridge west of Baumhart.

Jerusalem Road, District No. 5.

Brownhelm Station.

Route 6 about one-half mile west of the Ford Plant. (This was later moved to the south side of the road and made into a house.)

After finishing 8 grades in the district schools, children came to the North Ridge School to finish their high school education after the building was built in 1889. They had to walk or drive a horse and buggy to attend classes. The horses were kept during the day at horse sheds at the Congregational Church on North Ridge. During lunch hour at school, a trip had to be made to the church to feed the horses. The supt. at the high school visited all district schools usually on horseback or driving a horse and buggy. The teachers boarded at nearby homes so they could walk to work.

About 1915-1916 centralization took place. Children in the districts were then transported by kid wagons from their homes to the school on North Ridge which had been enlarged in 1905. In 1922 a gymnasium and classrooms were added to the school. Before this basketball games were played outside or in some gym nearby (Amherst). Graduation ceremonies, school plays and other social events were held at the Congregational church. Junior-senior receptions were held in homes or in the church.

The first alumni reunion was held in 1899 and has continued to the present time.

In March, 1921 the first parent-teacher organization was held with 26 members.

In 1954 Brownhelm joined the Firelands School District with Camden, Henrietta and Florence Districts.

Back to Index

Transcribed by Lowell Dunlap