At the end of the 19th century, the C. G. Hoffmann company was already one of Germany's leading companies in the cotton industry. So there were not only numerous production buildings on the large production site on Ernst-Thälmann-Straße, but also other supply facilities, such as e.g. B. an in-house fire brigade. To secure the u. Due to the increased demand for water due to the dye works and as a fire-fighting water reserve, the fire brigade equipment house was expanded to the west in 1920/21 with a constructively modern reinforced concrete water tower. The round tower, which is based on a design by the local concrete and reinforced concrete construction company Roth A.G. declines, but traditionally. So he attacks z. For example, in the design of the plinth cornice and the roofing of the round-arched windows on the first floor, the accentuations of the fire station – red clinker brick on a smooth, light-colored plaster facade – are reflected again. The container floor protrudes slightly and is divided by pilaster strips, between which there is a tall rectangular window. The entrance portal is particularly striking and also designed in concrete. It quotes a temple front with a surrounding, stylized egg and tympanum, in which a rising sun and the year 1921 are depicted. Additional commemorative plaques on both sides of the door were designed at the time of construction as a memorial for those who died in the company. The water tower has a characterizing effect on the townscape thanks to the striking, slated conical roof, which ends with a lantern and is lit by four round ocular dormers with wheel windows. In 2012, the water tower and fire station building were extensively renovated. Both the two-story reinforced concrete water tanks (capacity 140 m³/ 60 m³) and the associated pipelines were retained.
As a testament to the industrial location of the former colored weaving and dyeing works C. G. Hoffmann, the water tower is of local historical importance. At the same time, due to its execution and unique design, it is significant in terms of building and technology history.
Fire station (House S): two-storey, half-timbered brickwork, central projection, decorative cleats, shallow gabled roof
Water tower: solid, round, profiled, gabled entrance portal, marked, conical roof with wooden lantern, unique in the area
The tower is part of the former C.G. Hoffmann colored weaving and dyeing mill, later Lautex. The factory closed in 2005. Except for the main building, the administration building, and the water tower, all the buildings were demolished by 2013.
Translated by Google •
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