Benjamin Franklin Village

Benjamin Franklin Village, also called BFV, is an United States Army installation in Mannheim, Germany. It opened in 1947 after World War II and was named after Benjamin Franklin.

The Mannheim military community is comprised of several posts within a relatively small area in and around Mannheim. Sullivan, Taylor, and Funari Barracks, Benjamin Franklin Village housing and the military shopping area are all located within walking distance of one another in the Mannheim suburb of Käfertal. Spinelli Barracks is approximately 10 minutes by car circling southeast around Mannheim. Coleman Barracks is located off Autobahn A6 at the town of Sandhofen, approximately 10-15 minutes by car. Turley Barracks is approximately five miles toward the center of Mannheim, but it was closed by the U.S. Army. Thomas Jefferson Village housing is located in the city of Worms, 30-45 minutes away. Thompkins Barracks and Friedsrichfeld depot are located just off Autobahn A565 toward to Heidelberg.

The approximate total population in Mannheim assigned is 15,000 which consists of: Army active duty, 4,000; Air Force active duty, 200; Army family members, 6,484; Air Force family members, 197; civilian employees and family members, 3,266 and US military retirees, 727.

• 3 schools and Child Development Center
  • Mannheim Elementary School (Grades K-5)
  • Mannheim Middle School (Grades 6-8)
  • Mannheim American High School(Grades 9-12)
  • Child Development Center

• Stores
  • Commissary
  • Class 6
  • Shoppette
  • PX

• Dining facilities
  • Burger King
  • Anthony's Pizza (Attached to PX)
  • Taco Bell
  • Popeyes

• Recreation
  • Gym
  • Bowling Center
  • Movie theater

• Public services
  • Health Clinic
  • Library
  • ATM machines
  • Post office
  • 2 Laundry facilities
  • Baseball parks
  • Soccer fields
  • Gas Station

• Chapel (two chapels, one in general use)
  • Roman Catholic Church
  • Protestant Churches