The vision, began in 1961 and lives on today with each new island resident, Krueger’s admonition to “Enjoy it for a Weekend or a Lifetime” is remembered.
Key Allegro Island - The Story of a Vision By Carla Krueger Rinche
When Carl C. Krueger Jr. lost his job in 1960, it was the best thing that could have ever happened to Rockport.
Krueger’s position as Vice President and Marketing Director of San Antonio Machine and Supply was eliminated when his father, Carl Krueger Sr. sold the company that his grandfather, Maximilian Krueger had started in 1899. Krueger and his wife, Pat, took a vacation to Florida and became fascinated by the luxury resort atmosphere of Ft. Lauderdale with canal-laced subdivisions affording boat access to the beckoning Atlantic. They quickly decided that this style of living was made to order for South Texas. Krueger spent the next several months driving up and down the Texas coast looking for just the right spot. He was drawn to the Rockport area because of its natural beauty, good fishing, central flyway for good hunting, and its convenience to major population centers. When he learned that Frandolig Island, a marshy overgrown 260 acre key in Little Bay was up for public auction by the Aransas County Navigation District, he thought “This is the place.” What must have looked like a swampy wasteland to others was the setting for Krueger’s dream.
Purchasing the island was not an easy task
as the AC navigation District had many strings attached outlining how it could be developed. The minerals belonged to Dabney Petty, an oil man from San Antonio, and the existing wooden bridge to yet another party not interested in seeing the land developed. The mineral rights were eventually purchased for $50,000. Krueger and geologists convinced the bridge owner that the purchase would benefit his adjacent property, which was a cottage subdivision known as Palm Village (now the site of Allegro North Condominiums). The Attorney General, Jerry Sadler, had to check legal aspects for wildlife devotees who feared destruction of nesting grounds for native birds.
Finally, a bid was accepted in 1961 for $65,000 and Frandolig Island became Key Allegro, using the musical adverb to describe the lively upbeat tempo for the lifestyle Krueger envisioned. Next he lined up a group of investors/business associates from San Antonio to form the Key Allegro Development and Sales Company. The original investors and Key Allegro Board of Directors included Robert M. Ayers, Jr., Stockbroker, Charles W. Balthrope, Communications, A. H. Cadwallader, III, Banker, Paul DuBose, Dubose Carpet & Floors, Paul Hesson, Architect, Carl C. Krueger Sr., retired San Antonio Machine and Supply, Carl C. Krueger Jr., Allan F May, Architect, R. Marvin Shipman, Engineer.
The island development began
with the first phase (Unit I) in February of 1962. A “handshake deal” was made with “Chuck” Vermillion of Vermillion Construction to dredge Little Bay using the spoil to raise the elevation of Key Allegro. Another obstacle came in the form of a routine application to the U.S. Corps of engineers for a channel from Aransas Bay to Little Bay being denied because of the game refuge on Little Bay. The dredging was stopped until the Corps of Engineers was convinced the eco-system would be preserved.
The first “real estate office” was a 25 ft. Chris Craft moored in the canal with a “Welcome Aboard” sign stuck in the sand. It was quite a challenge for Carl and wife, Pat Krueger who were basically trying to sell lots that must have looked like swamp land to folks who were leery of hurricane exposure, lack of good drinking water, lack of sewer, and the unknown finished product.
Then the office was moved into the First Model Home at 2 Jamaica.
When that home sold to Helen and Hugh Thompson from El Campo, the Key Allegro Development and Sales office moved to 1809 Bay Shore Dr. (currently Luce Properties). There were to be 235 home sites available for $3,500-$6,000. The first homes built ranged from $12,000-$40,000. Krueger and wife, Pat, and two young daughters, Carla and Linda, moved into their new beachfront home at 1862 Bay Shore Drive in 1962.
The first (nearly non-potable) water supply on the island was a well with tanks surrounded by a chain link fence just over the bridge on the north side where the Key Allegro Yacht Club currently stands. This enclosure also held a small portable building which served as an office for Key Allegro superintendent/builder, Bob Turk, whose job included lighting the gas tiki torches on the bridge every night. It also briefly harbored Krueger’s daughters’ Shetland pony, Baby, which of course was a blatant breach of the island deed restrictions, though there were few owners to complain at that time.
By 1963, the Key Allegro Motel, was constructed
by Roger Stephenson and owned by Harry Cole was completed on the point at the end of Nassau Drive, where Casa Allegro and Allegro Isle Condominiums are currently located. The Polynesian style architecture of the motel was popular for many years on the island. The motel had a restaurant/coffee shop downstairs and a club named The Islander upstairs, offering fine dining, a bar, a dance floor and an expansive deck overlooking Little Bay. Elvis Presley, Patsy Kline and Pat Boone were on the juke box.
An Extensive Marketing Campaign
included promotional booths at boat shows, slick color flyers featuring professional models and display ads in San Antonio and Houston newspapers. Key Allegro became a favorite destination for sport fishing and hunting columnists in exchange for favorable reviews in their hometown papers. Pat Krueger’s role as partner, co-host, and sometime model was of huge importance as entertaining visitors was a continual job. Her beauty, poise and charm were a significant contribution to the marketing venture.
Krueger completed construction of the Key Allegro Marina in 1964
which offered a ship’s store, a restaurant, car wash, boat launch, gas dock and two covered boat houses. Friday night happy hour socials there featured 25 cent beer and dominos for adults, while the kids fished for “piggy perch” with cane poles on the docks. Sunfish sailboat races were held regularly and there was even a short lived trained dolphin show.
In 1965, Krueger and I.B. Magee built the Ventura Condominiums
at the end of Nassau next to the marina, offering boat docking at the back door and views of Little Bay. The Key Allegro Community Pool and Allegro House was constructed just up the street and quickly became the recreational center for islanders with monthly pot luck socials and as a meeting place for the Key Allegro Garden Club, Women’s Club and Key Allegro Homeowners’ Association.
Hurricane Beulah hit in September of 1967. Krueger evacuated his family from Key Allegro Island to higher elevation at the Sandollar Motel on Fulton Beach Rd. Extensive flooding affected St. Joseph Island, Key Allegro and much of Aransas County. Cattle and horses from the Perry Bass Ranch on St. Joseph Island attempted to swim to Rockport to save themselves.
Ken Leith became the second of a long list of owners of the Key Allegro Marina in 1969
The marina was always a hub of activity with boaters and hungry islanders for breakfast and lunch, where Tony Dominguez famously dished up enchiladas and “taco burgers” for many years.
By 1970, Houston gallery owner, Meredith Long
had purchased a home on Key Allegro and opened Meredith Long Art Gallery on Nassau near the Motel and marina. The gallery was extremely popular as a cocktail party venue, showcasing the works of renowned sporting artists such as Jack Cowen and Herb Booth, who both took up residence on the island. Pat Krueger studied art under famed locals Simon Michael and Estelle Starr, while the Krueger’s became friends and patrons of many local artists.
In the 70’s, lots were selling for $12,000
There were approximately 300 homes on the island. The Key Allegro Tennis Club was constructed by Krueger at 1799 Bay Shore Dr. , on the southwest side as you entered the island. There were three courts with a small clubhouse and Jimmy Langham, Krueger’s childhood tennis coach from San Antonio was the first teaching pro.
The Key Allegro Condominiums were built in 1973, and Palm Village and Blevins Harbor was purchased for the future construction of Allegro North in 1976.
Krueger sold the company, Key Allegro Sales, to his broker and sales manager, Jerry Ledbetter in 1976, and attempted to retire while building the Key Allegro, Allegro North and Bay House Condos with partner, Alvino Valenzuela (Fairway Builders).
In 1982, Krueger retired from being retired
when the new office of Key Allegro Development and Sales (now Key Allegro Real Estate) was built and opened at 1798 Bay Shore Dr., it’s current location.
One of Carl and Pat Krueger’s final and proudest accomplishments
was the establishment of the Key Allegro Yacht Club in 1983, the only private restaurant and bar perched right over Aransas Bay. Since travel and fine dining was a favorite pastime of theirs, this allowed them extensive research opportunities. With its upscale décor, diverse menu, waterfront location and weekly live entertainment, the KAYC was a crowning addition to the Key Allegro Island community and Rockport-Fulton.
After struggling through years of obstacles
involving the search, financing, infrastructure, government interference and hurricane damage, Krueger was asked if he had known how hard it would be would he do it again. His answer was a quick no, but he was glad he did it once.
