Kleb Family House Plaque

Ever wonder what a broken-winged buzzard and a $170,000 tax bill have in common? They both played a role in the story of the Kleb Family House and the surrounding Kleb Woods Nature Preserve. Here, south of Draper Road and west of Mueschke Road in Tomball, stands a plaque commemorating a unique piece of Texas history. The Kleb Family House, built in the 1890s, wasn’t just a home. It was a testament to a simpler time, a connection to the area’s rural past. Edward Kleb, a descendant of German immigrants, built the house on land inherited from his father. It was a life intertwined with the land, a life Elmer, Edward’s son, would inherit and embody. Elmer “Lumpy” Kleb was born in this house in 1907. He grew up surrounded by the woods, developing a deep love for nature and its creatures. He even cared for injured wildlife, like his pet buzzard with a broken wing. Elmer inherited the property in 1967 and lived a solitary life, without modern utilities, immersed in the natural world he helped cultivate. He planted many of the trees that now make up the preserve. He lived a life detached from the hustle of modern society, a detachment that extended to paying taxes. By 1986, Elmer’s tax debt had ballooned to over $150,000. This debt, and the rising value of the land in a rapidly urbanizing area, put his beloved woods at risk. The Kleb Family House and the surrounding land became the center of a legal battle. Elmer wanted to donate his land to the Audubon Society, but a court-appointed law firm wanted to sell a portion to cover his debts. The story garnered national attention. Lawyers, officials, and charities scrambled to find a solution. Finally, in 1991, a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department allowed Harris County to purchase the land, preserving it as Kleb Woods Nature Preserve. Elmer’s home, a vernacular hall and parlor style house, has been restored. It stands as a reminder of Elmer’s unique life and the community effort that saved this precious piece of nature. The Kleb Family House plaque tells a story of resilience and the power of one man’s love for the land. It’s a reminder that even in the face of urbanization, pockets of wilderness can be preserved. The Kleb Family House Plaque stands as a symbol of this victory. It reminds us of the importance of conservation and the legacy of Elmer Kleb.