Christian stallion

This article describes the builder and founder of the voluntary fire brigade from Karlsruhe. For his brother, the architect working in Köthen, who is often referred to in literature under the name of Christian Conrad Hengst, see Conrad Hengst , for the actor born as Christian Hengst see Norbert Christian .

Gravestone in the Durlach cemetery

Christian Hengst (born December 5, 1804 in Durlach ; † April 4, 1883 there ) was first a trade instructor, then a city master builder in Durlach and got involved in social issues very early on. He was also of the opinion that, at that time, help with extinguishing work to secure a living was professionally organized and trained, but could certainly be provided voluntarily by everyone.

On July 27, 1846, he founded the Pompier Corps Durlach together with his partner and syringe manufacturer Carl Metz from Heidelberg . It was the first volunteer fire brigade that could be deployed with excellent technical equipment, but also systematic physical and fire protection exercises. The fire brigades at that time were mostly recruited from the already existing gymnastics clubs.

Already on February 28, 1847, Hengst and his men were able to prove what was behind their idea: When the Grand Ducal Court Theater burned in Karlsruhe , 7 km away , the Durlach firefighters arrived in just 26 minutes and professionally extinguished the fire with their city sprayer No. 2 This action was picked up by the press and spread Hengst's ideas at lightning speed. Later he was awarded the gold medal of merit by Grand Duke Leopold . The city sprayer No. 2 is now on permanent loan from the Durlach volunteer fire brigade in the Pfinzgau Museum .

Hengst was criticized for the militaristic style of his fire service training. In 1849 he acted as acting mayor against supporters of the Baden Revolution . As a result, he received no confirmation of the election in 1851 and resigned all municipal offices.

Christian Hengst was erected a monument on today's Hengstplatz in Durlach in 1896 to mark his 50th anniversary. It is a fountain designed by Hermann Götz and implemented by the sculptors Heinrich Bauser and Ludwig Kleiber . There is a tombstone for him in the mountain cemetery in Durlach.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Photo of the syringe in the Pfinzgau Museum
2. ^ Durlach: Friends of the Pfinzgaumuseum - Historical Association Durlach eV: Fountain in Durlach | 064 Stallion Fountain , accessed June 23, 2011

Web links

• Christian Hengst at the Karlsruhe portraits , last accessed on December 21, 2012