Local history: Rue, Luckhardt families part of Martin County history for generations
Luckhardt is a name familiar to anyone who has spent even a short amount of time in Martin County.
Today’s Luckhardt Street south of Stuart off US Hwy. 1 goes back to the early 1970’s when Roy Luckhardt opened one of Stuart’s first flea markets on the 11 acres which he owned. After Roy’s death in 1984, son Greg and wife Alice continued to manage the B&A Flea Market until April of 2000.
The family history in Martin County began in 1924-25 when Henry and Harriet Rue, along with their adult sons Charles and Fred, relocated from Michigan to Stuart. The family became the new owners of the Butter Kist Shoppe on Flagler Avenue and renamed it Rue and Sons Sweet Shop. The business was a successful addition to Stuart’s downtown. Henry died in 1937 and the sweet shop closed in the 1940s; Harriet went on to own Friendly Tavern. In 1957 at age 95, Harriett Rue passed away as Stuart’s oldest resident.
The impact on Martin County’s development by the enterprising Rue family continued through subsequent generations. From 1932-1953, son Fred owned Stuart Paint Store and his wife Viola served as the county tax clerk.
Son Charles had an interesting and varied career as a sign painter, carpenter-cabinet maker, bookkeeper and manager or salesman for several businesses through the years including Texaco, Pontiac, Firestone, Luckhardt Construction, and the Stuart News. When he was elected Chairman of the Martin County School Board in the 1930s, he traveled to Ohio to pick up Martin County's first school bus and drove it back to Stuart.
Charles and his wife Lois organized a small ‘orchestra’ ensemble, which entertained at many local functions. Lois was involved in the PTA, serving as president in 1935. Charles was heavily involved in community affairs and civic organizations, for which he served in several leadership positions, including Master of the Masonic Lodge in 1930, and president of the Kiwanis Club in 1950.
During WWII, Charles received a citation for work as a civilian carpenter in the Engineers Corps. At Camp Murphy on Hobe Sound Beach, he designed and built one of the first observation towers for the war effort. Lois was a skilled seamstress, and also volunteered her services at Camp Murphy.
Charles and Lois were founding members of St. Mary’s Church and were instrumental in facilitating the church’s construction and growth. They established the congregation’s first Sunday School and children’s choir. Lois was the church organist.
Charles and Lois had two daughters, Leila and Leona. Leona remained in Stuart and married Roy “Lucky” Luckhardt in 1947. They had three children -- Grant, Greg and Elisa. Roy owned Roy E. Luckhardt Construction, a heavy equipment construction company on Flagler Avenue. Roy was responsible for many noteworthy projects in Martin County, and he also did extensive work on Alligator Alley in the 1960s.
Greg and Alice Luckhardt were direct descendants from the Rue pioneer family and have worked tirelessly to promote and preserve Martin County’s rich history. Inspired by the family photos, scrapbooks and interesting stories of life in Stuart that were lovingly conserved by mother Leona, Gregand Alice became noted local historians.
Greg has compiled a Digital Community Scrapbook, which is an ambitious collection including thousands of images, articles, obituaries, and information pertaining to all aspects of Martin County history. Alice has authored several books, published articles and writes a weekly series of historical vignettes for TCPalm. She is also a noted speaker. In 2013, Greg and Alice were recognized as the Martin County Preservationists of the Year.
The Luckhardt’s continue to call Martin County home, actively promoting and preserving its unique history which they share to the pleasure of local residents and visitors to the Treasure Coast.
To learn more about the fascinating history of Martin County and the Treasure Coast, visit the Elliott Museum at 825 NE Ocean Boulevard, Hutchinson Island, Stuart. Open seven days, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except holidays.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Rue, Luckhardt families go back generations in Martin County
