Hengstbrunnen, Karlsruhe

Christian Hengst was first a trade teacher, then a city builder in Durlach, and became involved in social issues very early on. Thus, he was also of the opinion that at that time livelihood-securing help with firefighting work could be professionally organized and trained, but could certainly be provided voluntarily by all.

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

As early as February 28, 1847, Hengst and his men were able to prove what was behind their idea: in the case of a fire at the Grand Ducal Court Theater in Karlsruhe, 7 km away, the Durlach firefighters arrived in just 26 minutes and professionally extinguished the fire with their city fire engine No. 2. This action was picked up by the press and spread Hengst's ideas in no time at all. Later he was awarded the Golden Medal of Merit by Grand Duke Leopold. Today, the city fire engine No. 2 is on permanent loan to the Durlach Volunteer Fire Department in the Pfinzgaumuseum.

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

A monument to Christian Hengst was erected on what is now Hengstplatz in Durlach in 1896 to mark the 50th anniversary of his birth. This is a fountain designed by Hermann Götz and realized by the sculptors Heinrich Bauser and Ludwig Kleiber. There is a gravestone for him in the mountain cemetery in Durlach.