Sunday, February 3, 2008

Butzbach - Roman Way Village

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007


Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007


Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

Butzbach - Roman Way Village, Oct, 2007

60 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, I lived there from 76-79. Its hard to believe it is empty now. Nice post!

forgotten Frankfurt said...

Yes, unfortunately everything was empty...

I hope things will be kept in good shape. I will try to pass by in the future to keep you updated.

If you were a 'Butzbacher', I highly recommend you to watch, as well, the following video on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_YiToJaHYE

M Smith said...

Oh, how sad. I lived on Texas Road from '81-'84. I have many fond memories. For me, it was really, the last of my innocent years. I was allowed to run free all day and play (Remember when it was safe for parents to say, "Don't come home until the lights turn on!"?) When I was there, there was one TV channel (AFN, no satellite) and there were no gates; no fence around the school etc. I guess that must me a symptom of the post 9/11 world...

Anonymous said...

Wow, I lived in Butzbach for only 3 months before going to permanent housing in Bad Nauheim from 1993-1996. Boy does this bring back memories!!! I'll never forget the endless hallway of 10 bedrooms (5 on each side). I used to push my baby boy in his walker up and down the hallway. He loved it!! :)

Anonymous said...

I lived on Georgia Rd in 1993 for only a few months before moving to permanent housing in Bad Nauheim. We stayed in Germany from 1993-1996
It's sad that Ray Barracks is closed. I was hoping to get the kids back there for a visit one more time.

Anonymous said...

Could you help me locating the housing area in Bad Nauheim ? I would love to take some pictures of it.

Thank you for your comment.

Don M. said...

Wow, how ironic....like another person who posted...I was also there during my childhood years from 81'-84'. I wonder if we may have went to the same school at the same time or even may have been class mates??

From the pictures, it brings back some very fond memories. I see all those empty parkings spaces.....those were all full when I was a kid there....kids and people everywhere. There were no gates or fences surrounding everything back then either. It's sorta sad because it looks like a ghost town now.

I would love to go back and visit and am determined to in the next few years. I wonder what will happen with this "ghost town" now that everyone is gone.

Anonymous said...

I am afraid that the former Roman Way village will be turned into a housing area for social assisted persosns(like the former Plattenstrasse/Huegelstrasse/Edwards Housing in Frankfurt).

Apprently, ultil now only Langen Terrace was turned into a housing area through the open market.

Indeed, at the time I visited it, Roman Way Village was looking like a ghost town. Apparently, the buildings do not respect the current enviornment protection regulations and will need to go through a process of refurbishing.

Paul said...

Wow! what a surprise looking at pictures of where I lived, played and went to school from 1963-1967. Great childhood memories. Thank you for whoever took the pictures.

Anonymous said...

I lived there in "temps" from 83-84 before moving to permanent quarters in Bad Nauheim. Although I am 35 now I still have very fond and vivid memories of my childhood at 6537 Michigan Rd and 5609 Grant Ave.

hakevlee said...

Wow I lived there a s a kid My sister was born there. I cant believe how empty it looks

Anonymous said...

7 D New york Road from 1957 to 1961.
There were no trees then.
Some of my favorite memories come from those years.

Anonymous said...

I was there '57-'59...went to grade school and played baseball there. Sure changed ...no fences or gates. Thanks for the pictures.

Anonymous said...

I live there '57-'59. Went to grade school and played baseball there. Sure changed alot over the years...no gates or fences back then...lots of rumors about Elvis though. Sorry to see it go...thanks for the pictures.

Janine said...

I lived here from March 2004 until June 2007 - we were part of the last of the families that lived here. Thank you for posting such beautiful pictures and photos..... brought back such memories. Is there anyway I can save your videos?

I wish I was still in Germany - such a beautiful place and beautiful people.

Forgotten Frankfurt said...

Hi Janine,

I'm glad you like the pictures I posted. I will do my best to pass by Butzbach soon to see how the place looks like today and come back with an update.

The videos in the video bar are not mine. I just tried to find the relevant ones on youtube.

Fortunately, I had the chance to get in touch with the person that posted them and I will kindly ask him to share it with you.

Anonymous said...

Hi All,

I lived in the Roman Way Village from 1960 to 1962. I was in grades 9 (Giessen) and 10 (Frankfurt). These were two of my best teen years.

Seeking Andre Brown who lived there during that same time.

cheers,
Jim Force

Carol said...

I lived on Michigan Road 1957-1959across the hall from the lady who would become Elvis's stepmother.
How sad these lovely buildings are standing empty with nothing to tell of all the lives lived there, even for a couple years.
Even sadder the kaserne has been demolished.
When we were there, no gates and no trees, no movie rentals, just good professional soldiers. Many vets of WW 2 and all proud to serve.

Anonymous said...

I was born in Germany 40yrs ago left and we returned in 75'-78' we lived at 13-D Michigan Rd., we played in that field right behind the street sign, thanks for the memories

Anonymous said...

I lived on Texas from '94-'97. It looks so different and yet still the same. Oddly, I miss those ugly apartments and the quiet neighborhood. I am constantly wishing I could go back. Love looking at all these old memories. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Wow! This does actually bring up quite a few memories, obviously. I actually lived there (on Georgia Street, maybe?) from '90 to '93 and attended the elementary school there. They were in the process of repainting the buildings during my entire stay there. My row of apartments were originally two variations of green and eventually painted all a light orange-red as you see with most of the buildings.

Tracy Russell said...

Awesome site! Seeing pictures brought back old memories. We lived on Texas Strasse from 1966-69after living on the ecomomy for a year in Etville on the Rhine. I remember gypsie as well as trips to Lulize(sp?) for goomy snakes and molasses in a shell. Other kids in our building were Dwight Brown, Marlene Brown, Jeff Miller and Russell Harris.

Karen Lancon said...

Such wonderful memories....I lived there from 70-83. Started elementary there in Butzbach-Mr. Butlers 1st grade class-went to Giessen Jr. High-then graduating in Frankfurt. We lived on New York Rd and then Michigan. We were so very lucky to be stationed there the entire time.
Thank you so much for the photos and the video-although very sad to see how it is now-it brings back some great memories!

Annemarie said...

I was an original Butzbacher. We moved into brand new housing in 1956. I started kindergarten there and continued to the first grade. I remember it well. I spoke both English and German and accompanied my class on a field trip to a German farm. I was the translator. I am adding a picture of myself, my brother and a cousin standing on the balcony on my FB. Thanks for the memories. Could you possibly identify the pictures of the buildings. I know some of them are of the school, but could you put a name to them. Thanks

Michael said...

I lived there with my wife and two daughters from 76-79and worked as a Clinical Specialist at the medical clinic at the top of the hill.
If you were there then and ever got sick or had a sick child I probably treated you.
I echo the sentiments of some of the posts... No fences, cars parked in every slot, kids running and playing everywhere.
We thought it was very serious because of the Russian 'threat' but they were simpler, happier times.

Felix said...

What a great pictures...the experience living in Butzbach is unforgetable...So much fun..I was there 58-61 ..

Anonymous said...

Felix, we were there in Butzbach at the same time. I have been trying to locate Andy Brown who was there then as well. Do let me know if you have any knowledge of how to connect with him. I saw Leonard Blizzenbach a few years back. He's a wildlife warden in Chico CA. Email me at . cheers,
jim

Felix said...

Jim...is your e-mail address complete..I will try again..Hope that we had some common friends..I believe that I lived on Ga. Rd..Above Alex Morales..

Forgotten Frankfurt said...

I would kindly advise all friends of this website NOT to publish e-mail addresses in posts, as this may expose you to spam.

Anonymous said...

WOW. I lived there between 70 and 76 as a child and the memory's I have from Butzbach are some of the best of my life. I was between the ages of 8 to 14 and still remember some of my best friends. I wish I could see some of them now.

Anonymous said...

Stopped by Butzbach last weekend 5/26/12 and they are redoing the housing there. A few of the apartment buildings on the left going up the hill and a few rows on the right will remain but the top half and the school will be gone.

Unknown said...

live in Butzbach to times as a dependent. 1961-64 and 1973.

Went to Frankfort HS in 1973. Also lived in Friedburg and went to elementary school in Badnaheim.

Unknown said...

Love Butzbach Was there as a dependent in 1961-64. Returned in 1973. Went to High school in Frankfort. Enjoyed my time there. Best memories. Was Captain of Girls basketball team Butzbach Backstabbers

Anonymous said...

7 D New York road from 1957 to 1960. Watched the video, threw me off until I realized when we lived there there were NO TREES!
School was one building.
Lots of memories. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Yes we lived on Virginia Road and my Dad got orders for Virginia. Went to school next to the Dispensery, that was where my dad worked while station there. But don't remember them being called Roman Village. But it was great.

Anonymous said...

My husband was a medic stationed at the Rock. We lived at 8A Georgia Road from 1980 to 1983. Our second child was born there. Those days were some of the best of our lives. Kids running,dogs barking, people talking, friendly soldiers, and lots of great memories. Hope to go back and visit some day.

Anonymous said...

Wow!!! Love reading these posts!!! We lived there from 69 to 72!! Though I was just a toddler I have so many memories!!! I remember living across the street from a school and standing in the balcony watching sheep being herded to graze behind the school. I remember the many walks in the woods behind the school and seeing the swimming pool and always wanting to go!!! I remember sliding on cardboard down a slope behind our building. Also remember seeing Santa ride past our building and questioning why he was on a horse!!! Does anyone remember two little girls throwing chestnuts from a second floor balcony and all the children in the yard down below cheering us on and on to keep throwing those chestnuts that our grandfather had brought us from Italy. My mother was so upset with us!! Also remember going to the butcher shop in the village and riding the bus and always had my stuffed black monkey dressed in a pink dress and the people on the bus saying it was so cute!!!! Loved our time in Butzbach!!!! Such an innocent time!!!!

Unknown said...

I was a medic stationed at the Medical Dispensary at Roman Village in 66 and 67. I greated and treated many of you that were there at the time.

Kurt Amundsen

Anonymous said...

Hey there!

I'm one of the Germans living in the Roman Way Housing now. We moved in last autumn. Our street was called Ohio Road in former days.

I'm looking for pictures of the "old times" and was very happy to find this.

Please, whenever you're around, let us know. We would appreciate to welcome everybody who used to live over here. Not all of the buildings have been remodeled. ;-)

Jenny White (veritaspoetiae@yahoo.de)

Anonymous said...

My father was stationed at The Rock from 90-94. I started 6th grade at the elementary school at the top of the hill. I am sad to see it closed down. Those were some of the best years of my life, with hard ones mixed in. My father was fighting in Desert Storm most of the time but he did make it home safe!
Thank you for posting this blog!

Daughter of a Soldier

Anonymous said...

I lived at 9D Texas Road from late 1958 to middle 1962 - from just after my sister was born and just before my youngest brother was born. I found the address from an old report card. My best friend in school was Al (sorry, I have no last name). I attended from kindergarten to 2nd grade. My mother told me I spoke fluent German but all I can do now is count. I remember the playgrounds with the wooden swings (I still have dreams of the dangers), the worms after a hard rain, the shephards and their sheep as they passed by, the sledding on the hill on cardboard sleds, the candy store where 10 pfenning would buy a whole bag, the snow, the castles, my father's Edsel (green and white), the colored doors to identify the buildings (I made more than one mistake)and our housekeeper Inge. I really don't remember the town but would like to go back(?) - one day. I have seen the videos of what it looks like now - there where no fences, trees, barriers when I was there - a more trusting time. I used to play outside from dawn to dusk. We had no TV or any other inside diversions. Such a simpler time.

Unknown said...

I love this place. I lived there from 2001-03. I love Germany a d it's peoe. I believe as a country they're so much far ahead from us. Great memories!

Anonymous said...

I was a Behavior specialist at Butzbach Elem '89-94 and also served schools from Hanau to Frankfurt elem. My wife and I loved it there and wish we had never transferred to Spain. The German people were wonderful as was the army community. Great memories. Ron D.

Anonymous said...

I lived in Caldwell housing from 87 to 92 I went to the middle school in hanau to

Anonymous said...

I lived in Roman Way 89-91 on Michigan Rd. I went to Butzbach Elementary & Giessen Middle school. I always wanted to go back to Germany to visit where we used to live. I just saw the video on youtube when they tore down most of the buildings,its so sad. I wonder what Butzbach looks like now in 2015.I will make it back to Germany one day.It's a beautiful country & the best place I have ever lived. I hope someone can post current pics or videos of Butzbach

Forgotten Frankfurt said...

I have some fairly recent (Nov - Dec 2014) photos of how Roman Way Village looks like today. I will try posting them in the near future.

To summarize, all buildings on right side of JFK Street are there, same with those on both sides of Gerald Ford and Virginia streets.

Officer houses at the entrance gate on the right side are there and have been refurbished, but the shopette/Video rental building and The Bunker club are gone.

Up the hill everything have been teared down (Georgia/Ohio/Texas roads(?), Elementary School and Dispensary).

Jenny said...

Hello again,

it's been almost three years since my last post, but as someone really sent me an email and asked for recent pictures, I took some and sent them to her.

Is there any way to upload them so all of you could see them?

Just in case you're interested. ;-)

Jenny

Karen Austin said...

Hello to all! I remember my years in Germany oh so well, '86-'89. I spent my 2nd, 3rd & 4th grade years at Butzbach American School. The only teacher I recall was my 4th grade teacher Mr. Hahn (he was really awesome). I never forgot when he said one time that he kept all his student records for 5 yrs after they moved on...for some reason this left an impression and I wanted to make sure I left behind a great memory lol. I do remember learning German from the Frau's (one of my teacher was married, one was not, the one that was was kinda mean at times but meant well), don't remember their names either. I didn't actually live in Roman Way, but remember feeling jealous because I didn't. I lived in Dorf Gull w/ my parents, brother & grandma. I can't seem to find anything about this town or Google Earth. I remember my address there, but perhaps I am spelling it wrong? I remember pomme fritz, Christmas parties for the families, wive's clubs, the open air markets where you got truly fresh food, the family owned bakeries on almost every corner, the fresh juice trucks, brochen (probably not spelled right but bagels have NOTHING on them!),the age of innocence, childhood.....to this day, I stay in contact w/ one person from this time, our parents are friends & while we lost contact for a time, we found each other on the wonderful world of social media. I don't see too many posts from people who were around during my time, it would be great to see some individuals!

Anonymous said...

Lived in Dorf Gull and rode bus to Butzbach Elementary in the late 70s. Lots of good memories. Here's the Google maps link to modern day Dorf Gull -- https://goo.gl/maps/WyG59

Anonymous said...

I used to live there like all 03-04 ish til 07 a couple months before it got shut down. I see it now and it brings back beautiful memorys. I t makes me miss my childhood.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous: As with the lass above, I was also an original "Butzbacher" arriving there in March of 1956 and leaving for Frankfurt in the Summer of '57. Lived at 7-A Texas Road and used to take either of the two roads to Schloss Kaserne. (Prison?/Orchard?) Butzbach was the third of three second grades that School Year. I loved being a "brat" and living there. My Dad was a young officer who seemed (to me) always being in "the field!" I remember sitting on the curb of Texas and waiting for the return of him and the rest of the soldiers from Graf.
A wonderful experience. I last visited somewhere in the 90's when I was a DoDDS teacher and living in Bonn.....

Thanks for the memories

Unknown said...

Lived in Roman Way Village 1960 - 1962. Went to Butzbach Elementary and Giessen Jr High School. Moved to Bad Nauheim in 1962. Went to Frankfurt American High School for 2 years. Loved the AYA Teen Club and Sports. The bus trips to other clubs for dances was a lot of fun!

K. Andreya said...

Just now seeing your reply to my post..thanks for posting the link, I will check it out soon!

JW HANSEN said...

I was stationed at Schloss Kaserne in Butzbach, Germany from 1968 to 1969. From there I was shipped to Vietnam.
I used to be able to find a website that was only of Schloss Kaserne and you could freely post comments as on this website.
I no longer can find that website but sure wish I could.
We visited Butzbach in September 2014 am my how it has changed! One good thing however is that I did discover a wonderful Bakery just off the Markplatz. What a wonderful bakery it is. The only place I ever found the orange flavored donuts that are so delicious and we spent a month traveling throughout Germany.
Will possibly be going back there in 2018.
I was stationed with the HHB 6/562nd AADCOM (Arty) in '68-'69.
Sure would like to see if any of the old troops are still around.
Thank you
Danke
JW Hansen
e-Duece
tinlize AT msn DOT com

Unknown said...

My father was stationed at the Schloss Kaserne in Butzbach, Germany 1961-1963. Those were some wonderful times for me. I went to school at Butzbach Elementary. We lived 13-D Texas Road and had to walk to school, no matter what the weather was like. I remember the "Brotchen Man." He used to drive around the village in his car and we would buy brotchen (German bread rolls) from the trunk of his car. Best bread every! I remember going to the AYA (American Youth Activities) Teen Club and Sports. In the basement there were pool tables. Upstairs there was a dance floor with a juke box. I used to dance there all the time. There was, also, a kitchen there, where you could get hamburgers, etc. I was a cheerleader for the football team and had a red jacket with white leather sleeves. I don't know what happened to it, my mother probably ditched it, but I still have the letter "B" that was sewn on to it. I remember when the circus pulled into our area. My girlfriend and I walked down to see it and met the lion tamer, who also ran the circus He asked us a lot of questions about the area. He said he would let us in for free, if we do odd jobs for him and we ended up washing the elephants. The lion tamer let us into his private living quarters, which was much like a gypsy wagon. He was so interesting. He opened an old trunk and showed us all kinds of pictures. That was such an experience! On Saturdays we get on a bus to go to the base to see the movies, which only cost 25 cents. I was a bus patrol, so I got in for free...even got to wear the bus patrol sash and wore a helmet. Wow...there was a lot more, but I won't go on and on. Memory Lane. If anyone is reading this and was there when I was there, my name at the time of Pamela Dean.

Unknown said...

Pamela,
Contact me through my email Roadking1970@gmail.com
I have two pictures from the inside of the AYA in Butzbach, I don't think I can post them in the comment section.
Ray Pollard

Anonymous said...

I lived on Michigan St in 1968 to 1970. I remember we lived acrossed the street from the prison. Loved looking at the pictures.

Unknown said...

I lived in Roman Way from 1976-79. We lived at 16 E Texas Road, right above the Salisbury's. The Corson's lived across the street from us. I went to Butzbach Elem school. I am going back in May 2021 and looking forward to seeing what is there and what is not! It was some great times in my life.

Robert R said...

I was there from 86-89 my father was stationed at friedberg we lived across the street from the school and the medical facility used to run the woods behind the school with my friends i remember going to the post exchanges at Frankfurt and Geissen for groceries with my mom and dad I think it would be neat to travel back to the area sometime and see how it has changed

Mike hopper said...

I lived in the second apartment bldg, on the right on Texas St. no gate back then. 64-66/7. I went to 4,5,6 grade at the school I was a crossing guard too. . Farm fields all over the area next to housing. AYA was place to be, we walked downtown to get everything. Also the theater, and the clubs on the same street. Shopping in Giessen,, Frankfort and the little store near the dispensary. I remember the pool at the top of the hill, 25 cents got you in, a brat, roll and a cup of coke. Boy/Cub Scout camping in the rec area. Loved every minute of growing up there. My dad worked at the missle site on top of the hill. Sorry to see this part of my life gone.

Information needed...

Whoever can help with history of Camp Eschborn, please add your memories of the place as it used to be in the 70's through 90's.

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