The Patton Barracks in Heidelberg, once the headquarters of the United States Army Garrison Heidelberg, were closed in 2013, along with the nearby Patrick Henry Village – earlier this summer I had a quick look…
While the PHV was quickly used as an emergency shelter for refugees of the European Migrant Crisis after being transferred to the Bundesanstalt für Immobilienaufgaben (“Institute for Federal Real Estate”) in mid-2014, the Patton Barracks went a different way and got bought by the city of Heidelberg, who has big plans with the property that included 29 buildings (everything from storages and repair shops to a theater and even a church!) on 14.8 ha and has access to two street car and bus stops. Currently there are two main projects going on – the planning and construction of an indoor sports arena for up to 5000 paying visitors (planned grand open: October 2019), and a brand-new high tech center (Heidelberg Innovation Park, HIP) for IT, digital media and industry 4.0 businesses to keep up with the city’s latest twin towns – Palo Alto and Hangzhou!
Sadly I wasn’t able to find out much about the history of the Patton Barracks. Apparently it was founded before World War 2, but the first mentioning I found was in connection with the 110th Infantry Regiment, which was activated in 1936 and lead to the construction of a new base (from 1938 on Großdeutschlandkaserne, after WW2 Campbell Barracks) as the existing Grenadier-Kaserne (now Patton Barracks) wasn’t big enough. In 1952 the Patton Barracks became the headquarters of the United States Army Garrison Heidelberg… and 61 years later they were closed, leading to the current activities.
Sorry, just a small article about a quick Exploration, but Abandoned Kansai has a long history of covering closed US military bases in Germany, going all the way back to the *Cambrai-Fritsch-Kaserne* in 2011. Next week’s piece will be much more… mysterious… and Japanese! 🙂
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Abandoned Kansai 
from most of the shots it looks like its not abandoned at all,not that usual sight haha
Like I wrote, it’s in transition, so it’s technically not abandoned. Like every “abandoned” place that still has alarms / security…
yeah
Makes me sad to see Patton Barracks in this unkept condition. I was stationeded there back in 1983/5.
What a beautiful country Germany is. And I was so fortunate to be stationed in Heidelberg.
I agree Robert. This is very heartbreaking. I really enjoyed my time there. 147th Postal 84-86. Heidelberg is one of my favorite places in the world!
I was happily stationed at Patton Barracks as an MP from 1982 to 1984. I really enjoyed the area and most of Heidelberg in general.
I was stationed at Patton Barracks in Heidelberg from 1982 to 1984 as an MP. I really enjoyed the area while I was there. It is sad to see Patton Barracks is no longer used by the Army, but change comes regardless.
I’m really sick caused I spent my time at Patton Barracks between 1968 and 1970 and I can’t find no info about the co I was in—-500th Eng batallon and transportation Co.
Stationed in Patton Barracks from 1967 to 1969. Heidelberg Germany.
TOS unit top floor of barracks Bldg.
Great time there.
John J. Moreno
I was stationed at Patton Barrack from 1986 to 1989. Loved the place, loved Heidelberg, loved being in Germany…sad to see it go away.
Was stationed there in 1968/69 in Bldg 133, Headquarters USAREUR & 7th Army Troops. Worked in the 65th DPU in Campbell..
I was stationed at Patton from 1977-1980 I enjoyed it I started out with the 500th Engineer Det got promoted and transferred to A co I lived at Patrick Henry Village
I’m late to the show, but I was stationed in Heidelberg at Patton in 1955-1956. A very lucky assignment, and I have very nice memories of Heidelberg, the people, and the country. And I really miss going to the ‘Zum Roten Ochsen’ with my buddies.
Thanks for your post. I was just recently trying to remember the name Zum Roten Ochsen where I had many a beer with my buddies. I was in H’berg in 1973-74. The army sucked, of course, but it was a much better place than where I could have been!
This article is inaccurate. I was stationed at Heidelberg in 1973-74. Patton Barracks, where I lived, was the support post for the US Army-Europe headquarters at Campbell Barracks about four blocks away. PB was torn down about four years ago and now is an industry and science innovation park by the City of Heidelberg. I was fortunate to have served my tour of duty in such a historic and gorgeous city.
I miss being stationed in Heidelberg! I was there ’90-’93 and ’00-’04.
I was at Patton Barracks in 63-65. Served in the 519th Transportation Company. Was a great two years.
Bernie Bromberg
I was at Patton Barracks from June 61 to Jan 64 had a great time loved The Red Ox downtown and the Castle at night
Michelle Stewart are you out there?
I was in the 4th Signal Gp from 1958 to 1960. No better place to be stationed!