Former Benjamin Franklin Village (Mannheim)

Germany / Baden-Wurttemberg / Ilvesheim / Mannheim
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Benjamin Franklin Village, also called BFV, was an United States Army installation in Mannheim-Käfertal, Germany. It opened in 1947 after World War II and was named after Benjamin Franklin.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin_Village
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   49°31'8"N   8°31'57"E

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  • I work in the Mannheim Community on Sullivan for ITT Industries- OPMAS-Eur since 1997. I use to be stationed on Coleman between 1977-82 with the 2/13 Inf. It my home away from home.
  • Lived in BFV 1978-1981 stationed with 512th Maint Co, 1986-1986 with 8th ID and 51st Maint Bn. Bison Burgers at the Club and Eichbaum at the community fests come to mind and Heidelburg was so close by for fun.
  • 512th Maint 1979-1982 Eichbaum was the sH**. Electronic shop 2nd floor, painted the trees a couple time around the mess hall. Still miss the place, 2n d time around in Germany Landsthul, 327th signal
  • I was stationed at the 56th Aviation Co., Coleman Barraks from Nov. '84 to Dec. '86 and had some good times there. Hanging out in Heidelburg and experiencing the local fest were what I remember best.
  • I lived in Benjamin Franklin Village from 1956 thru 1959 starting at age five thru age nine ~ my father was stationed there. For being so young I still recall alot ~ really enjoyed living there.
  • For sale now (Jan 2012) by the German Govt.
  • Attended Mannheim Middle School 1975-1976 first year it was open. went Mannheim High school 1974-1975
  • I visited capt Lucas and his wife in BFV 1959. Did anybody here knew them.
  • Hey, what's the street I've to type into my GPS to get to the BFV?
  • The gate is on "Birkenauer Strasse"
  • was stationed on coleman bar.81-83.was a medic in 3/8cav.Had a ball;do anybody remember
  • Wow i feel so young compared to all the other story's on here. I lived here with my family (myself and my x was active) from 2002-2004.
  • I lived there in 73 when i broke my arm
  • I graduated from Mannheim American High School 1976.I also attended Darmstadt Career Center I was in auto repair our teacher Mr. Einsman was always test driving cars on the autobahn he hit speeds of 100mph or more fun for a 17 year old. My time at BFV was the most fun I ever had. I spent a total of 5 years in West Germany BFV was my favorite..
  • We lived there 71-74 lots of memories
  • Lived in BFV '77--'79. Lots of great memories. Still in contact with my neighbors across the hall in our stairwell. Was 13 years old at the time. One of the best times in my life...
  • I lived there from 1981 to 1984 at 17 e columbus strasse had a great time and served with the 2/13 mech infantry csc company, we lived in the field though , seemed like it any way
  • hell yea i remember, ya musta been in 2/13 inf
  • Hi, I graduated 1975 - Lisa Lancaster. One of my best friends graduated with you. Her nickname was KT or Kat. Kathy Turner.
  • Now its a Refugee Camp.
  • I was lucky to have lived here from 1965 thru 1968 . This base will always hold a special place in my heart. Had a great deal of special time in the foot field with special friends . Had special times with friends that I wish I could find again. Richard Wesley
  • I was stationed at BFV Dental Clinic from June 1986 to August 1989
  • Lived In BFV right across the street from the high school in 1957-58. Still have my old AYAA membership card. Didn't want to come back when rotation came for us. Loved Mannheim and hated Fort Riley Kansas.
  • I lived here 1st - 3rd grades, 1958 - 1961. My Dad worked the Community Center part of that time. My memories include ballet lessons, choir, Elementary School, throwing snowballs, Saturday matinees, skating, and many, many more. Not long before I learned we were coming home one boy excitedly announced that his family would be going home on a jet! My Mother, sister and myself came home on the USS O Darby and I vividly remember rough waters among other wonders. I am thrilled to have found this site as I've always cherished my memories from Germany and now wish I knew more about the places I was fortunate enough to have lived and visited.
  • I lived at 32 Grant Circle (BFV) from 1966 to 1968. I was in 8th and 9th grades. Mowed my first lawns for profit - $1.25 per lawn. Still have my Mannheim High School 'Bison' sweat shirt. It was a great time in Germany. I had lived two years previously in Hamburg. My father was a military officer having served in three wars/conflicts - WW II, Korea & Vietnam. He passed in 2015 at age 90. Was planning to go and see the old place but now I see it is "Former" BFV.
  • I worked at AMSF- Europe from 1976-1978, got to travel all over central Europe - loved it. Also was fortunate to have played for the BFV Travelers Fast Pitch softball team, which was 1977 Europe Champions.
  • I lived, I believe (my memory is rusty), at 3 Grant Circle from 66 to 67. I was in 8th grade. My father, also an Officer, worked at CENTAG. He passed on, along with my mother, in 2013, at 89 years. My mother was almost 87. My name is Gail Wood. I kept my Bison sweatshirt until it fell apart. I remember going into Kaefertal to the candy store and the pastry shop, and also bike riding on the paths in the forest, which was my favorite thing to do. For an 8th grader, I had a lot of freedom to explore. It was a really fun time. My best friend and I even took the streetcar into Mannheim one day. We nagged our mothers to let us go, they said yes, the only rule was that we had to get back home before our fathers came home. We barely made it. We had to run to catch the streetcar in Mannheim as it was pulling out of the station. And old man at the back caboose area helped pull us onto the streetcar as we ran after it. But for his help, we would not have made it home on time and it would have been very bad for us to not be home when our fathers arrived. I remember it like it was yesterday.
  • I was there when they built the new middle school. Graduated Mannheim American H.S. 1976
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This article was last modified 10 years ago