This brick home is on land originally owned by Marshall Field. The land was offered sale by Harvey W. Branigar, residential builder. The house was accepted in the Historic Home Program based on the significant person criteria.
The home was originally owned by Robert and Hattie Houska. They lived in the house from from 1848 to 1968.
Charles and Suzzanne Enge bought the house in 1968. Charles Enge played tennis at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa graduating in 1958. After college, he dedicated his life to teaching the sport. He was the head high school tennis at Riverside-Brookfield High School and Downers Grove North High School. Coach was also the Head Tennis Pro at the Downers Grove Swim and Racquet Club for 27 years. Coach taught tennis for over 50 years and was inducted into both the Illinois High School Tennis Hall of Fame and the National High School Tennis Hall of Fame.
Coach was a life-long supporter of his alma mater, Luther College. In 2008, he was recognized with a Distinguished Service Award. Later, he established the “Charles and Suzanne Enge Endowed Tennis Fund” to benefit those that followed in his footsteps at Luther.
He passed away in 2023.
Sources
- “Historic Home Application for 4825 Stonewall Ave, Downers Grove,” 2019, 44 pages. Digital image stored by the Downers Grove Historical Society. Digital image and print copy stored by the Downers Grove Museum.
- “Class Notes,” Winter 2024., Luther Magazine, Digital image stored by the Downers Grove Historical Society. Mentions $100,000 donation to the college.
- “Charles M. ‘Coach’ Enge (obituary,” Jan. 11, 2024, Suburban Life,
- “Residential developer Harvey W. Branigar Jr. (obituary),” Nov. 5, 1993, Chicago Tribune, archived on newspapers.com.
