Near Rose Hill in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Kleb Family House
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.
Erected 2006 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13698.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 30° 4.157′ N, 95° 44.388′ W. Marker is near Rose Hill, Texas, in Harris County. Marker can be reached from Draper Road. Marker is located within the Kleb Woods Nature Center, down a short trail from the parking lot off of Draper Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20303 Draper Road, Tomball TX 77377, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Site of New Kentucky (approx. 1.4 miles away); Abraham Roberts Homesite (approx. 1.4 miles away); Roberts Cemetery (approx. 1.7 miles away); Rose Hill United Methodist Church (approx. 1.9 miles away); Rose Hill Methodist Church Building (approx. 1.9 miles away); Samuel McCarley Homesite (approx. 4 miles away); St. John Lutheran Cemetery (approx. 4.2 miles away); Old Salem Lutheran Church Site (approx. 4.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rose Hill.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 494 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 30, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.