Germany’s oldest existing gas station. Hidden in the backyard of a house on Gemarkenstrasse 18. That’s Holsterhausen for you a place of surprising contrasts.
Holsterhausen is one of Essen’s largest districts. It sits southwest of the city center. It’s a bustling place with a rich history. A history stretching back to 966. That’s when Emperor Otto I gifted the Ehrenzell estate to Essen Abbey. This estate formed the heart of the Dreibauerschaftsquartier. This area included Altendorf Frohnhausen and Holsterhausen.
After the secularization of the area it became part of the Borbeck municipality. In 1874 Altendorf became a mayoralty. Altendorf Frohnhausen and Holsterhausen were all part of it. This lasted until 1901. That year they became part of Essen. Holsterhausen’s location near the Krupp works had a devastating effect. It was heavily bombed during World War II. This made it the largest contiguous reconstruction area in West Germany after the war.
The district’s coat of arms is quite telling. It features a white house with black timber framing. Two golden tree trunks with stubby branches sit above the gable. This speaks to the area’s name. It means “those who lived by the wood”. The house represents the “-hausen” suffix.
Despite the heavy traffic from the A40 motorway and the dense buildings Holsterhausen has green spaces. There’s a part of Haumannpark. There are also playgrounds. Remnants of Krupp’s industrial past remain. Parts of workers’ settlements like Alfredshof still stand. These have been modernized but retain their character.
Holsterhausen is more than just industry and history. It’s a vibrant community. It boasts the Alfred-Krupp-Gymnasium. It was founded in 1908 as a secondary school. It became a grammar school in 1910. The school is a testament to Essen’s incorporation agreement of 1901. Holsterhausen is also home to the University Hospital Essen. This large hospital complex stretches towards the Grugapark. The Gemarkenstrasse is the main shopping street. A Thursday afternoon market adds to its lively atmosphere.
Holsterhausen may be marked by its proximity to industry and traffic. It’s also a place that cherishes its history. It’s a place that has adapted and thrived. The oldest gas station in Germany stands as a quiet witness to its evolution. It stands as a reminder of Holsterhausen’s enduring spirit. A spirit that blends the past present and future. It shows a neighborhood always reinventing itself. This is the heart of Holsterhausen. A place with a story waiting to be discovered on every corner.