Marker Details

Kleb Family House


Kleb Woods Nature Preserve, Draper & Mueschke Rds

Tomball , 77375

Notes:
Not in HCHC database, added per THC Locations list # 89816 sent by Will Howard, entry on 1-6-2008
Directions: NOT in Kleb picnic area on Waller Tomball/2920; go south of Waller Tomball/2920 on Mueschke 5 tenths mile to Draper Road, right/west on Draper 1 tenth mile to 2nd Kleb parking entrance, park; walk south on gravel road approx. 200 yards to Kleb Visitor's Center, continue on road approx. 75 additional yards to house; marker is on the opposite side of the house from the open farm area; house is next to (right, facing) another white structure

Key Time Period: 1877 - 1892 Post-Reconstruction

Corretions/New Research:

Marker Text: Constructed c. 1890s, the Kleb Family Home and its location in the wooded northwestern part of Harris County represent a time of dispersed rural settlement in the area. Edward Kleb, a descendant of German immigrants who arrived in Texas in 1846, built the house on property acquired from his father, Andrew.



Elmer "Lumpy" Kleb (1907-1999), son of Edward and Minnie (Willmann), was born in the house and inherited the property when his mother died in 1967. (Edward passed away in 1951.) Deeply attached to the family land, Elmer planted many of the trees in the area and cared for wildlife, often nursing injured birds. Elmer lived a unique existence - a life without utilities in the natural setting. He also did not pay taxes and amassed a debt of more than $150,000 by 1986. Over Elmer's wishes, a court-appointed law firm worked to sell a portion of the property, which had grown significantly in monetary value, to cover the amount owed. Elmer, however, wanted to donate his land to the Audubon Society.



The situation attracted national attention and soon lawyers, county officials, charities and other agencies began work to find a way to pay the bills and preserve the habitat. In 1991, a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant enabled Harris County to buy the land. The county paid the debt and created the Kleb Woods Nature Preserve. Kleb's determination, as well as help from others, led to the preservation of a wildlife refuge in a rapidly urbanizing area.



The county started a trust fund to cover Elmer's needs until he passed away. Later, restoration began on his house, a vernacular hall and parlor style home featuring side gables with returns.



Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2006
Marker Type: Marker with Post
Historical Org: Texas Historical Commission (THC)

Key Map Information: 286 P

GPS Coordinates: 30 04.354, 95 44.413

Precinct No: 3

Marker No: 13698