The Enger Mansion Part I: The History

Beautiful Mansion on Marion

There are some houses that just stand out. The neighbors all know it as the big house on the corner, and when you find yourself at the corner of Dakota and Marion in historic North Avondale, there is nothing keeping you from gazing up at the Enger Mansion. Surrounded by a wrought iron gate, the historic mansion and it’s relative carriage house sit on a huge lot that is just begging for you to look up.

Open the gates of 992 Marion Ave, wind up the driveway, and just under the Port-Cochere you will find yourself stepping up to the side door and into the foyer of a house you wish you lived in… and you could.

Now, a little background on the house. This image to the right is Franklin Enger.  He revolutionized his family business by switching from carriage manufacturing to automobile production just in time to ride the wave of the forthcoming auto driven world. He created a popular automobile under the auspice of ‘The Enger Motor Car Company‘ with a manufacturing plant located on Gest Street in Cincinnati’s historic West End. This popular business would help inspire and pay for a new house for Frank Enger and his family.

Frank bought this land, and in 1897 hired architect Matthew H. Burton to design the classical Beaux-Arts mansion that dips into an Italian Renaissance Manor styling that can be found throughout the neighborhood. The brick and limestone facade is crowned with a classically Beaux Arts glazed white terracotta tile frieze.

When the Engers moved into their new home in 1898, they were treated to new technology that would make 19th Century life more luxurious. One of these was an elevator that would take guests and family members from the great room on the first floor to the ballroom on the third floor and back down to the bowling alley that ran the length of the basement.The butlers pantry was even complete with a built in refrigeration system. Nothing was spared in making each room unique to purpose and style. Frank and his family lived in this house from 1898 till 1919 when his wife Pearl sold it a few years after his death.

 

In 1943, after a rotation of different owners and a two year vacancy, the mansion was gifted to Xavier University. Soon after, a stream of Jesuits, football players, and honors students would fill what would become known as Marion Hall. The Xavier students who were able to live in the house threw LOTS of grand parties, including one fondly known as the ‘Night of Poetic Enchantment’. The Xavier students would often assist in the upkeep of the house, as well as cause some harmlous trouble. At most, 60 boys lived in this ‘dormitory’ at one time. Take a moment and think about that. Then explore below for a short tour of the house.

 

 

Cincinnati Historic Homes would like to present to you our listing at 992 Marion Avenue (MLS #1462886). 

 *We will be updating the photos shortly, as our friends at Everything But The House clear out their estate sale. Please come back for more pictures! 

 

This 15,000 square foot house features 10 bedrooms, 5 baths, a library, really great-great room, two distinct parlors, formal dining room, spacious kitchen, cedar room, a few flex rooms for whatever you desire, a fantastic ballroom, without even mentioning the 5,000 square feet of adjoining carriage house.

Pocket doors separate nearly every room.The interior woodwork varies from room to room with unique woods such as birds eye maple, cherry and white oak, giving each room a distinct character from the next.