Rego Park Descendant Marion Legler Tells All

By Michael Perlman

Marion Legler, granddaughter of Rego Park developer Joseph Thone, points to Marion Court's 1929 terra-cotta relief & heavily encrusted archways, Photo by Michael Perlman

Signed photo of Real Good Construction Company developers circa mid-1920s, Courtesy of Bruce Powell

Back in 1923, the Rego Construction Company, also known as the Real Good Construction Company, acquired land in Forest Hills West and named “Rego Park” after their advertising slogan, “REal GOod Homes.” The typical story that is told is how the firm was founded by two natives of Germany; president Henry L. Schloh and secretary and treasurer Charles I. Hausmann, but now a piece of the puzzle long forgotten has been rediscovered.

In June 2016, Rego Park native Marion Thone Legler (born 1932), who resides in New Hyde Park, visited the neighborhood after 3 decades and explained the accomplishments of her grandfather Joseph F. Thone (1870 – 1955), another founding party and developer of the Rego Construction Company, who lived at 63-35 Bourton Street in Rego Park. Legler, who was raised at 61-30 Booth Street (now demolished), shared a detailed account of her childhood and early adulthood. She communicated with much passion and sentiment in the lobby of Marion Court at 62-98 Saunders Street (completed 1929), which her grandfather built 3 years before her birth. Legler was named after the building situated on Marion Avenue (now 63rd Avenue) and due to her grandfather’s interest in the name, according to her beliefs. 

Queens Blvd towards Remo Hall on Saunders St, Courtesy of Marion Legler & by Capitol Photo Service Commercial Photographers, 140 5th Ave

Rego Park homes, office, & stores to be erected circa mid-1920s, Courtesy of Bruce Powell

The firm developed 525 eight-room single-family “Rego Homes,” railroad style Colonial frame houses with porches between 63rd Drive and Elliot Avenue along Saunders, Booth, Wetherole, and Austin Streets, which sold for an approximate $7,500. Three apartment houses followed, which 70 families each called home. They were the Tudor-style Remo Hall at 61-40 Saunders Street (1927) and the Spanish Mission-style Jupiter Court at 62-64 Saunders Street (1927) and Marion Court. 

Marion Court, 1928 rendering, Courtesy of Queens Chamber of Commerce

Remo Hall circa late 1920s, Courtesy of Bruce Powell, Henry Schloh's grandson

Jupiter Court circa late 1920s by Times Square Photo Service, Courtesy of Bruce Powell, Henry Schloh's grandson

Designed by Benjamin Braunstein, they offer recessed facades and courtyards to maximize fresh air, light, and landscaping, which such developers considered an advantage over the urbanized city. Architecturally, Marion Court boasts terra-cotta reliefs of animals, leaded glass depictions of castles, and a roof garden where residents would once recreate and keep cool come summer. 

Terra-cotta reliefs of animals & florid vines, Photo by Michael Perlman

Other family members were active in civic matters. In 1928, her uncle named Joseph H. Thone of 62-87 Booth Street, became president of the newly founded Rego Park Tennis Club, and around 1929, became secretary of the new Men’s Club of Our Saviour Lutheran Church. 

Lutheran Church of Our Saviour circa 1936 photo from 10th Anniversary Book

 “Rego Park was a playground for children,” said Legler. “We used to sleigh ride down 63rd Avenue. We never had to worry about cars because there were very few.” On Queens Boulevard, her father William Thone owned a hardware store, which was one of a few shops concentrated on the south side, west of 63rd Drive. “On the other side, there were lots and swamps over where your big apartments are now,” she said. Small shops stood along 63rd Drive, as well as PS 139 (erected 1929), where she graduated from. She said, “We went from Kindergarten through 8th grade. They taught arithmetic, the sciences, English… grammar, and penmanship. In the upper grades, the boys took shop and the girls took home ed, which was learning how to cook, making beds; how to be a housewife and a mother.” Children went home for lunch. 

Victory gardening on 99th Street with Queens Boulevard Gardens complex in the background, June 1944

 
Victory gardening was prevalent during WWII and her school participated. “We grew carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, and celery.” Furthermore, she explained, “We would bring money and buy what was called stamps, which was like a savings account. You learned how to cook in the school, how to grow food outside, and how to save your money at the same time.”

She graduated from Forest Hills High School in 1950 and remained in Rego Park until her marriage in 1956 at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, which was followed by a reception at the popular Rego Park Community Club at 62nd Road and Wetherole Street. 

Legler reminisced Rego Park as a neighborly small town. “If you had a party, everybody was there. We would get home from school and drop our books, go outside and play. The parents all sat on the stoop at night, while we played Ringolevio and Running Bases until the street lights went on.” Other popular games were diamond ball and stick ball.

Legler explained the social scene. “On Queens Boulevard, there were several outdoor barbecue places that would play music, and we would be entertained for free.” Memorable spots included Lost Battalion Hall, Boulevard Tavern, Howard Johnson’s, White Castle, Fairyland amusement park, and the Elmwood, Trylon, and Drake movie theaters. As for a typical weekend, she said, “For 5 cents, you would go to the movies. You had to sit in the children’s section and a matron would walk back and forth with her flashlight to make sure you behaved.” Screenings included a cartoon, newswreels during WWII, and two feature films. “Occasionally, there was a contest between the films, such as a Duncan yo-yo contest,” she recalled.

The neighborhood children’s fixture was “Buddy, the Bungalow Bar man.” “We kind of chased Good Humor off the block,” she chuckled. Home deliveries were also the norm. She said, “Dugan’s and Krug’s were the bread people. In the beginning, they came on a horse and buggy. The ice man would also come and chop the ice, since you had an ice box.” Another necessity was a coal chute in the basement, since there was no gas heat. 

Marion Ave with Rego Homes development, May 29, 1925, Courtesy of Marion Legler

Legler’s mother was born in Norway, her father in America, and her grandfather in Germany. To this day, she reflects on her strong family values. She said, “Everybody had to be at the table. If you were late for dinner, you were in big trouble. Before we would leave the table, we would say, ‘takk for maten’ (thank you for the food).”

Sunday dinner was after church at 1 PM. The menu was mostly roast beef and sometimes turkey. She said, “The vegetables… you ate them. Most were creamed and were German or Norwegian style.” She continued, “Mom always made dessert. There was custard bread pudding, homemade pie, pineapple rice pudding from Norway, and Brown Betty.”

Employment was sometimes a challenge, such as when her father gave up his hardware store during the Great Depression. Legler worked a key punch machine for General Motors. She recalled, “In 1950, my salary was $33 a week, and that was before they took everything out.” Nevertheless, she explained, “We had food stamps, but they were good years. The families worked together.”

Today, Legler maintains an active lifestyle. “I am a computer programmer and I have 4 daughters and 11 grandchildren,” she said. She inherited her grandfather’s photo collection of “construction from day 1,” consisting of over 100 views including Queens Boulevard as a dirt road to its paving, early shops, homes, apartment houses, PS 139, and the ribbon cutting for the LIRR station on 63rd Drive.

Public School 139, Photo by Michael Perlman

Marion Court, Savoy Gardens, & Jupiter Court, Photo by Michael Perlman

  

Saunders Gardens on left & Jupiter Court on right, Photo by Michael Perlman

Remo Hall, Photo by Michael Perlman

Marion Court, Photo by Michael Perlman

As she toured Saunders Street and Booth Street, Legler felt preservation is essential. “Every effort should be made to maintain it. My grandfather knew how to build,” she said. Legler keeps in touch with her classmates. “I come back here and it’s my childhood. We played in these buildings, especially Marion Court, since it has an elevator, which was a big thing.”