The Lost Traces of the Anderson Barracks – A Journey Through Childhood, Decay, and Hope
The Anderson Barracks in Dexheim once thrived as a bustling hub of American military presence and were the centerpiece of many memories – including mine. As a child, I was fortunate enough to experience a part of this history firsthand. Today, however, the site stands abandoned, a silent witness to times gone by. In this article, I invite you to join me on an emotional journey through cherished memories, historical insights, and the planned future developments, like the Rhein-Selz Park.
A Vibrant Place in My Childhood
In the 1980s and 1990s, the Anderson Barracks were a lively microcosm shaped by the presence of the US Army in Germany. For me, however, they were much more – a second home. Thanks to my mother’s friendships with American families, I often found myself immersed in life on the base.
The Commissary, or PX as it was called, was a highlight of every visit. To a child, it felt like a small slice of American paradise, filled with brightly colored products I couldn’t find anywhere else. Even today, I can recall the sweet, slightly artificial smell that filled the aisles.
A key figure in my childhood was Heike, a German teacher in the base’s kindergarten and a scout leader. She was married to Cole, an American soldier. I’ll never forget their wedding in the small chapel on the base. It was a magical moment – a picture of love and unity that has stayed with me ever since.
The History of the Anderson Barracks: From Foundation to Decline
The Origins and Military Significance
Founded in 1952, the Anderson Barracks served as a vital base for the US Army for decades. It was home to armored brigades and played a central role during the Cold War. However, after the Cold War ended, a gradual withdrawal of troops began. Finally, in 2008, the base was officially closed.
The School and Taylin’s Handprint
The school at the Barracks was a place that seemed to burst with life. Although I was too young at the time to be a student myself, I was fascinated by the wall covered in handprints. Every child who studied there left their mark – a colorful collage of memories and stories. One of those handprints belonged to Taylin, a girl I was especially close to.
Taylin was a whirlwind of energy, full of life and vibrance. She was smart, funny, and truly one of a kind. When I think back to that wall today, I can still see her standing there, laughing, and saying, “Go ahead, paint over my handprints, but I was here first.”
But life sometimes writes tragic stories. Taylin lost her life in the World Trade Center tragedy. It hurts to think that someone so full of life was taken so soon. The wall that once told her story is now smudged, defaced, and forgotten. Yet she remains in my heart – a small, colorful handprint that will never fade.
The Fire Department and My Great-Granduncle
One of my earliest memories of the Anderson Barracks is the fire station. The bright red fire trucks on the base seemed like massive heroes to me, ready to battle any blaze. My great-granduncle, who was the fire chief of the volunteer fire department in Alzey, often talked about the fire trucks of his time in Germany.
Big Trucks, Big Memories
The comparison was striking – the fire trucks at the Anderson Barracks were bigger, more modern, and far more impressive than anything I had seen in Germany in the 1980s. These trucks symbolized strength and adventure to me. Today, the fire station is a shadow of its former self, but those memories remain alive and vivid.
The Bowling Alley and the Decay
The bowling alley at the Anderson Barracks used to be a place filled with laughter, where families and soldiers would gather to enjoy time together. The clatter of bowling balls, the cheers, and the smell of waxed lanes are all memories I hold dear.
When I returned in 2018, the sight of the bowling alley hit me like a punch to the gut. What I found was destruction: torn walls, ripped-out cables, and even stolen heating systems.
Destruction Instead of Memory
It wasn’t the planned demolition that shocked me – it was the raw violence inflicted on the place. Nothing had been treated with respect or dignity. It felt as if someone had ripped my childhood out of the walls and carelessly thrown it away.
Culinary Adventures in the Mess Hall
The mess hall on the base was the place where I tried sweet potato mash for the first time. It was so different from the potatoes I was used to in Germany, and I loved it so much that I ate way too much and ended up with a stomachache.
Even so, it’s one of my warmest memories – a small anecdote that reminds me of how carefree those times were. It was a place where I discovered new things, from food to people to stories.
The Planned Rhein-Selz Park and NTT
The Anderson Barracks are set to embark on a new chapter. The site is being redeveloped into the Rhein-Selz Park, a modern blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.
A Mega Project with Challenges
One of the most ambitious projects is the construction of a massive data center by the Japanese telecommunications company NTT. This center, set to be one of the largest in Europe, represents an investment of around 5 billion euros and is expected to create 600 new jobs. However, the project faces logistical challenges, especially in terms of energy supply, with the center requiring up to 500 megawatts of power – more than many power plants can produce.
An Opportunity for the Region
The Rhein-Selz Park and the NTT data center could transform the region. In addition to the new jobs, the area could benefit from improved infrastructure and significant tax revenues for local communities.
Preserving Memories: A Monument to the Anderson Barracks
Despite the exciting plans for the future, we must not forget the past. The Anderson Barracks are more than just a plot of land – they’re a place rich with stories. From the soldiers who served there to the families who lived there, and the children like me who experienced their first adventures there.
Bridging the Past and the Future
I hope that the past will be honored in some way. Whether it’s a commemorative plaque, a small museum, or preserving one of the historical buildings, it would be a meaningful gesture to show that history and progress can go hand in hand.
A Monument to the Past and the Future
For me, the Anderson Barracks are a symbol of life, change, and hope. They tell stories of friendships like the one I had with Taylin, of small moments like my first sweet potato mash, and of big ones like Heike and Cole’s wedding.
I hope these stories will live on – in the memories of the people who experienced them, in the architecture of the new Rhein-Selz Park, and in the hearts of those who hear them.
