When initially established, the Depot was created quietly in the French Zone. For the first year the small garrison lived to tents. Then wooden prefabricated barracks replaced the tents and served as living quarters for two more years until 1951, when two fine new barracks and a mess hall were added. An additional three new barracks are at present being constructed to house labor service personnel.

At first, the only paved road within the depot boundaries was the autobahn which bisected the Depot and which was closed to the public. All stores were placed in the open and covered with tarps. All mechanical and administrative work took place in jerry-built canvas-and-wood structures.

In the spring of 1951 the "wraps" were lifted from the Depot and it began to grow. Scores of miles of roads have been paved, the area of the Depot has doubled, and a number of enormous buildings have been erected to serve as maintenance and processing shops, tire storage and battery rebuild.