Benjamin Franklin Village facts for kids
Benjamin Franklin Village, also known as BFV, was a special place for the United States Army in Mannheim-Käfertal, Germany. It was like a small town built for soldiers and their families.
This military base opened in 1947, right after World War II. It was named after Benjamin Franklin, a very famous American leader. Benjamin Franklin Village was closed down in September 2012. This happened as part of a plan to change how the US Army was set up in Europe. The last soldier and their family moved out that month.
Benjamin Franklin Village was part of a larger group of military areas in Mannheim. Other nearby places included Sullivan Barracks, Taylor Barracks, and Funari Barracks. All these areas, including homes and shops for military families, were close enough to walk between them.
Before it closed, about 15,000 people lived or worked in the Mannheim military community. This included soldiers from the Army and Air Force, their families, and civilian workers. Closing down places like Benjamin Franklin Village helped the US government save a lot of money each year.
What Happened Next?
New Uses for the Land
After the US Army left, Benjamin Franklin Village and other military sites in Mannheim were given back to the German government. This means the land and buildings became Germany's property again.
Plans are now being made to give these areas a new purpose. This is called "redevelopment." It means changing the old military base into something new for the community. For example, some of the buildings were used to help people seeking safety starting in 2015.
See also
- List of United States Army installations in Germany
