Here are those same buildings on 25 November, 2010:
Our apartment is the balcony on the third floor at 17 Texas Road in Butzbach:
The balcony below is behind me in the old picture above.
These pictures should give you an idea of how empty it is here now. This is our apartment building:
and our street:
and looking directly up from our street:
and looking left:
and looking right:
Seeing our old home would have been overwhelmingly sad if I hadn’t shared the experience with my parents and my sister. I am so grateful I was able to visit Texas Road in Butzbach with them.
It turns out that we were not alone in our feelings. This huge empty United States housing area interconnects with civilian Butzbach residential areas. All of the citizens we spoke with reflected the loss they felt due to the departure of the Americans. The economy of Butzbach has suffered; stores and restaurants have closed. It will probably be years before Butzbach is able to economically rebuild what it has lost. The young adults say that it is very boring there now and the older people miss the loss of their friends and neighbors. There must be many United States service families who are missing Butzbach too.
Thank you for coming along on my trip to the past.
You can read the other parts of this story here.
Scrappy Gen
Posts
We used to live in Butzbach, from 98-00. We lived in the building near the baseball field, behind the shoppette, right near a playground and some kind of power station. We used to tell my son it was a cloud factory because we would always see steam rising out of it. We also had a view of the prison tower. I think our street name was Ohio, but I'm not sure. Thanks for posting these pics. Brings back memories.
ReplyDeleteI used to live in Butzbach 93 or 94 to 2000 so many memorys i was only 9 years old when we left that area its sad how its empty but there were alot of memorys. I used to live near the day care center.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad, but if you stand still and listen you can almost hear the sounds of people and children like it used to be. Victoria, I love the cloud factory story!
ReplyDeleteI happened upon some YouTube videos last night that got me started looking for additional information about Roman Way housing area. My family lived there from 1977-1980. My father (since passed away) was a Major at the time, and we lived on Texas Ave (don't know the building, it was the 2nd "stairwell" building on the right as you headed up from the front gate). We were in the first stairwell, apt A. Tons of memories, I was there from 5th - 8th grade. Mom worked at the dispensary part of that time. Thank you for posting this.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I know which building you are referencing and we lived on the same street (other end in 22B Texas). Did you have a little sister named DeeDee? If so, I think she was friends with my little sister.
DeleteI lived in Butzbach from 76-78. I was in the 5th.-7th. grade. Went to Butzbach grade school and Giessen jr. high My brothers played football for the Butzbach Bills. Doug and Terry Arnold.I do remember the bills going to the championships.We had some great times. My dad was stationed @ Bad Nauheim. We lived in the apt. right by the baseball field. We could open up uor bathroom window and watch the game.It was right by the DYA. The germans also use to put on a carnival @ the end of the football field. Those were some of the best times of my life. Hope to hear from someone i might know.
DeleteYou are very welcome. I think that it is very important for military families to document their homes. I think it can be grounding.
ReplyDeleteWhat haunting images! My father was a heavy tank battalion commander in the former West Germany. As a young elementary schoolgirl, I lived with my family in this housing area from about 1958 to 1961. I never knew it was called "Roman Way." The buildings you photographed were probably just footsteps from our old address, 13-F Texas Rd.
ReplyDeleteThe time I spent in Butzbach was magical. We skated on the ice rink in town -- at least I *think* it was in Butzbach, but it may have been in a neighboring village -- and one day we watched as a Gypsy caravan, brighly painted and full of people my mother wouldn't let me anywhere near, rolled on wooden wheels along the dirt road that ran alongside the housing area.
Ny father passed away in 1985 without making it back to Butzbach, but my older brother has kept in touch sporadically with an old friend and got together with him there before the U.S. military pulled out its forces. Thank you so much for the vivid remembrance.
Dear Anon, You are so welcome. If you get a chance to go back, you should grab it. The people in town were very warm and welcoming and love Americans.
ReplyDeleteI spent time at the 70th Trans Co. from Aug. 69 till Dec. 70. Not a bad place to serve your country. Too bad it's all gone now! Memories to last a lifetime.
ReplyDeletehi folks,
ReplyDeleteim a german guy (born in 74) woho lived form 79 til 96 in the "german housing" close to the roman way village (not the prison) ;-)
i also have a lot of memories to the housing and it´s people. we had to pass the american housing on our way to the (old)town of butzbach. later on it was part of my daily way to school. you see it was part of my childhood and youth.
also my first girlfriend was an american girl, her family lived in michigan road. unfortunately they left germany in the 90ies and we lost contact (in times before the internet!)
i also remember the german-american "volkfest" near the baseballfield once a year. that was the place to get the best (american) icecream in germany!! :-)
later in the 90ies i worked as a deliverer for a shop of used furniture. many americans were our customs (in butzbach, kirch-goens, giessen, bad nauheim, friedberg and so on). many of the gi familys bohgt some furniture to take it to the USA.
it was a good time and i was sad too, when i saw your pictures above. all empty and without life. i havn´t been there for a longer time, because i also moved from butzbach in 1996.
thank you for the pics and the little journey in time :-)
So many people have fond memories of Butzbach and there were such good relations between the Americans and Germans there. Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts, memories and emotions. They are so touching.
ReplyDeleteBrought back alot of child hood memories. I also lived there 79-81.Also, spent another tour in kitzagen 85-87. Would not trade childhood memories with any one else.thanks for the pics.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these! We lived on Texas Road from 2004-2007, the first building on the right, as you came in the "gate" or passed the Shoppette. I agree that it's depressing! What a waste of perfectly good buildings. I didn't understand why they replaced the balconies RIGHT before closing down the housing area, made no sense to me. Anyway, I enjoyed seeing these photos, it makes me home sick for Germany and the wonderful town of Butzbach.
ReplyDeleteVery Nice, I lived in butzbach germany with my family from 70-73, my dad was stationed at ayers kassern, we lived on Michigan st, I loved germany, growing up in butzbach in the early 70s was the best. The AYA, playgrounds, swim-badden at the top of the hill, walking to the scholss kassern to watch movies life was great. I spent 26 yrs in the army, three tours in Ge, however I never was station in butzbach , I took my kids there every tour, and went by in 05. I'm sad to see it go, We had great friends great fun, thanks for the memories
ReplyDeleteJoel Crouse
Sergeant Major US Army RET
My family lived there 72-74 then moved to K-Town. I was in 8th grade and played AYA football with my brother Ricky. Butzbach Bruins, those were the best days of my life. Lived on Michegan Rd.
DeleteTony Richmond
Hey Tony, my brother Houston Smith and I played. Football with you and Ricky in the early 70s. Butzbach Bruins rule! Remember when we played Berlin and got to ride the train through East Germany? Hey BTW if you're on Facebook you should join the Butzbach 70's Facebook group. There are tons of pictures including some of you and your brother and our football team. There are a bunch of people you will know there. Check it out.
Delete- Johnnie Smith
Hi there.. Wow this is crazy! I (Vivian McLaughlin) lived with my mom, dad and sister, Cindy on Michigan - right across the street from Tony and Ricky Richmond! My Dad was a CSM - Joe McLaughlin based in Ayers Kasern. I will definitely be joining the facebook group to see more faces, etc. Yes, definitely remember all the good times we all had!
DeleteThis is Vivian's sister, Cindy. Do you guys remember the Boldens, the Canestrini's? The good times for me included the AYA, the candy and pomme frites at the bierstand, EVERYTHING in the town of Butzbach. Christmas Eve walks through the town with my dad and Vivi while mom got the house extra special?
DeleteMy dad and I returned in 1992 to visit - mind you 17 years later - and when we went to the bierstand at the intersection of Michigan and something - the elderly lady says "CSM McLaughlin?" Unbelievable! It took a long time before the intense desire to return went away. What great memories.
I live in Butzbach from 1970-1972 Went to Giessen JR and Frankfurt SR High. The girl that ran the Bierstand then was Lucia. I have so many great memories from there. The swimbad, camping out in the woods (after sneaking out) the long bus ride to Frankfurt High each day. I lived close to the dispensary across from the entrance to the german neigborhood. Does anyone remember Rick OValley?
DeleteJoel I don't remember you but I also lived there during the same time period. What great memory's I have of Butzbach. The AYA the swim badden. I lived on Ohio road overlooking the baseball fields.
ReplyDeleteKenny Parrish
I lived there from 64 till 67. I have to look up the address later, but I remember I went to kindergarten in a quonset hut to the left of us. I remember a barbed wire fence surrounding a huge facility with a dirt road that led to town. I have to go and get out some old pics now. Thanks for the memory jolt.
ReplyDeleteI lived there from 2000-2004. Oh how I am homesick. It was the only place that ever really felt like home. Im going back one day to stay for sure.
ReplyDeleteChristine Silveira- We lived in Butzbach from 1972-1975. 6D Texas Road..I will never forget hit. Loved sleeding down "dead man's hill" as we called it by the elementary school; picking pears, and cherries on our way to the swimbaad. I loved going to Foodland and getting a 0.10 ice cream sandwhich and playing fooseball against the teenagers. I still remember the football team colors - Black and Gold. One of the best times of my life!
ReplyDeleteUsed to live on Georgia St. 1974-1978. Dead man's hill brings back sooo many memories. My sister and I used to run around in the woods behind the School and even took short cuts to the schwim baden on the hill. I sure miss that place. Maybe one day I will be able to visit again.
DeleteButzbach receives the most comments on my blog. It seems there is a universal longing for it. Have you all seen this website? http://stimpyrama.org/ghs/2499#1
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are beautiful, far better than the ones I took.
We lived in roman way from 1987-1990. We lived right across from the prison with a playground in the front. I think maybe on Virginia. My children were young but loved it also.
ReplyDeleteWhat memories. I lived there with my parents and brother around 1960 to 1963. Went to the elementary school. Sorry to hear it has closed down, had many great times there.
ReplyDeleteI lived on Georgia St from 1999-2001. I want to visit again so badly, but these pictures brought back a lot of memories. I really grateful you took these! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteNot sure if you all are aware but the housing area is either in the process of being torn down or has already been torn down. I have pictures that were sent from someone who recently visite there where the building were being ripped apart. It's so depressing to know that I'll never be able to see the first place my husband and I lived in the army and together as a married couple.
ReplyDeleteI lived at 12 B Michigan Rd. from 1972-1974 with my mom, dad, and 5 brothers and sisters. My brothers and sisters went to Butzbach Elementary, but I went to Giessen American Jr High. My best memories are from the time I lived in Butzbach. I would love to visit again.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting these pics. Sandra Mallicote bach then. I lived at 1A Texas Road as a dependant from March 73 to April 76. Lots of great memories, great friends and good times. I remember from my bedroom window could see all the way down Texas Rd to the AYA, kids coming and going and chatting from the window and also got to hear some pretty interesting conversations of kids who didn't have a clue there was someone listening. LOL Thanks Again!
ReplyDeleteDeb, I can't confirm this. I'm one of the Germans who just got the chance to move into the former housing area. Some buildings close to the woods have been torn down but most are still there. And slowly people are moving in.
ReplyDeleteAs the roads have been renamed I can't 100% make out the old name of our street but it must have been either Ohio Road or Texas Road. The second street on the left, when you go up the hill... I would have to check at home, it's either building #6211 or something close to that.
And to everybody who has the chance: Come over and have a look. I can only speak for ourselves but we would give you a warm welcome on your visit!
Very Nice pictures. I lived at 2-B Georgia from 1991-1994. Wish I would have taken move pictures. When I arrived as a brand new MP, the older guys would convince the younger soldiers that the elementary school was haunted. Stories of Roman Soldier ghosts.....
ReplyDeleteGreat memories.
Actually there are Roman Ruins behind the old Elementary School. Used to Play around there when I lived in Butzbach. My mother always grounded me for it but couldn't keep away from there. Sure miss Georgia Rd.
DeleteI lived at 2-B Georgia from 91-94. I loved Butzbach, it was so beautiful. As a new MP in the area, the older soldiers would try to convince the new guys that Roman Way was haunted. Ghosts in the elementary school, Roman Soldier ghost up by the shooting range. Good memories, and good times.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Giessen from 1978 to 1979, before moving to Wiesbaden. My father coached DYA; Basketball, Baseball, and Football. I will never forget beating Butzbach with seconds left in the game, when I hit the winning shot. Butzbach had a kid by the last name: Crumley. I think his father was a LTC, great player. As I got older, it's amazing to find out that our point guard on our team, was Jamelle Holieway, a legend football play er for the University of Oklahoma, National Champion, and Heisman trophy winner.
ReplyDeleteI had fond memories while living in Giessen; playing sports against some good Butzbach teams. Never forget playing Butzbach in basketball, and we hit the final shot at the buzzer to win. I remember playing against a kid by the name of Crumley, back in 1979. My dad, SGM Younce was the coach. The most amazing remembrance, still, to this day was our point Jamelle Holieway, who later won three National Titles, while playing for the Oklahoma Sooners in the 80's. Unreal!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI had fond memories while living in Giessen; playing sports against some good Butzbach teams. Never forget playing Butzbach in basketball, and we hit the final shot at the buzzer to win. I remember playing against a kid by the name of Crumley, back in 1979. My dad, SGM Younce was the coach. The most amazing remembrance, still, to this day was our point Jamelle Holieway, who later won three National Titles, while playing for the Oklahoma Sooners in the 80's. Unreal!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI remember playing Butzbach in all sports; my father was SGM Younce, he coached every sport imaginable for Giessen, a long time rival of Butzbach. I will never forget the game that we played in 1979, when we hit the game winning shot, with seconds left, to advance to the USAUER Championship. As I remember, Butzbach had a kid by the name of Dennis Crumley, I think his father was a LTC, stationed at Butzbach. Later, it comes to find out that our point guard, Jamelle Holieway, played on three National Title winning football teams at the University of Oklahoma, and considered to be the best option quarterback in College Football history, UNREAL
ReplyDeleteHello everyone- My name is Terence Smitherman, and I lived in Roman Way Housing Area from 1975 to 1977. Our address was 6-A Georgia Road. Some of my greatest memories from childhood occured in Butzbach. I miss the people, the culture, and especially the food. What would I give to savour the taste of currywurst, pomme frittes and brochen right now!!!
ReplyDeleteWe lived there too from 1998-2001. So many fond memories there. This was our first place as a young married couple with our little one (now 14). My friend, who was my neighbor back then, recently went in September 2012 and took pictures. Our building 6525 Georgia Road was one of the ones torn down. In fact, all of Georgia road is gone. Very sad. I wanted to take my kids there one day to show them our old "stomping grounds".
ReplyDeleteSo glad I found this site. I lived in butzbach from May 61 to June 64. Went to school there then Giessen for the 9 the grade. Don't know the name of the street but it was the next street down from the school in the second building from the main street coming into the housing area. Also lived in the building next to the youth center for the first 6 months in temporary housing on the 4th floor, 8 bedrooms! I loved living there, it was the only town we lived in that I cried when we moved. My dad had family that lived a few hours away and we were finaly able to get to know them. Remember walking to schloss kersern (I think it is called that) to go to the movies. Had to go through a small church graveyard to get there unless we went the long way. Yery scary. What great memories.
ReplyDeleteOh wow... My father was stationed at "The Rock" from 79-84 and we lived at 16-A Texas. The stairwell all the way on the end, nearest the field that you could cross diagonally to get to the Toto Lotto, Edeka Market, Bundespost etc. We also had a playground and basketball court behind our building (between my building and the one on the next street.)
ReplyDeleteI was only there until I was 12, but I have great memories of playing at the DYA, going to the little shopping center just outside of the housing area and walking to our school up on the hill. Although, one year, I was in a cluster of three classrooms that was near the field behind the DYA. Never understood why we were so separate. I remember going swimming in the summer at the outdoor pool "on the economy" (not part of the American housing area) behind the school and up (yet another) hill.
When I heard that the property had been turned back over to Germany and that the buildings were stripped of the wiring, pipes etc. for recycling, I was sad. I remember that they had just repainted our building from the drab white to the gold/rust brown color scheme in the photos. Friends who returned for addition duty tours saw renovated kitchens and baths. So sad that it is all gone.
One last thing... when I was there, we didn't have these giant iron fences along the streets etc. Post 9/11 enhancement?
Oh wow... I lived on Texas Rd. I think 17-A... From 79-84. I remember that our unit was in the ends stairwell had 4 bedrooms, and was the bottom balcony on the right. The edge of our building was close to the field that we used to cross, diagonally, to get to the Edeka Market, Totto Lotto and Backerie. We had a basketball court and playground behind the building that I used to roller skate on. I used to walk to the DYA, the school up on the hill (go Roadrunners!) Oh, wait! Except third grade. I was in this cluster of three building joined in the shape of a T at the edge of the baseball field by the DYA. I have no idea why were were separated like that.
ReplyDeleteI remember riding my bike EVERYWHERE! We would use our pocket change to go to the Schnell Imbiss for a bratwurst mit brotchen and pommes frittes and in the summer we would go to the outdoor swimming pool "on the economy", meaning not on the American housing complex, up the hill behind the school.
Those were simpler times. Still worried about terrorist threats (I remember someone getting into their car one morning and it exploded) but overall we were pretty carefree as kids living here. Good times...
Enjoy the posts. I also lived there '57-'59 in one of the buildings near that plant with the huge coal piles. Went to grade school, played baseball and listened to alot of "The Purple People Eater" song at the AYA when it came out. Long time ago with good memories when kids had fun running and playing outside.
ReplyDeleteHi all, it makes my heart swell when I hear such fond memories of the town that I was born in. Both of my parents are 100% German, however Dad while visiting the US in the 50's joined the American Army. After basic training he asked to be stationed in Germany, he was sent to Butzbach where he met and married my mom. My older brother and I were born in Butzbach in 1957 & 1959. My mothers parents (Wilma & Hans Bohlefeld) owned the Piccolo Pub & Restaurant where many Americans hung out which is how Dad met Mom! :-) I often look for souvenirs from Butzbach, but find it very difficult. My husband & I did go back about 15 years ago, I had trouble finding my way around since it had grown so since I was a child. The Piccolo is now owned by someone else and is not called that anymore. If you were standing on the fountain facing the town, the narrow street to the left would lead you to the Piccolo, it stood on a corner. We lived above it. Dad has since passed away, mom lives in the states with us but we miss our days in Butzbach.
ReplyDeleteI was stationed there in 1955 and it was a very nice place. I missed it when I left.
ReplyDeleteFrancis Whittier
Hi,I'm a from Butzbach. Since I'm only 16 y/o I hardly rember the place and the people being here. But it's very sad that they have torn down most of the buildings now. It must have been great with all the Americans, here. It would be very cool if they would still be here.
ReplyDeleteNow, Butzbach actually is a extremly boring and really run down town, which has no money to change it. Butzbach has lost the glory it once had by now. It's very sad to see this.
i lived on Michigan Street, back in 1969-71. I remember looking out our windows and seeing the prison.
ReplyDelete