Phillip Ruempel Farmstead - Overview
The Phillip Ruempel property had at least two significant buildings on the site. The large barn, which was likely the structure in which the family first lived was made of naturally rough-hewn rumble limestone. The barn was to the north of the larger structure, the family home. The home was made of neatly cut limestone blocks about 18 inches thick.
It had porches on the east and west sides. There was a chimney on the east, one in the center and a newer chimney on the west. The roof was of tin and the windows were 6/6 and 4/4. At the time of the 1973 Bexar County survey the house had recently been restored. A third building, probably a root cellar was also visible on the property. This was an excellent example of the type of stone work done in early German communities as well as the type of housing complexes built by these German families.
The Ruempels were among the first European American inhabitants in the area that now comprises Leon Valley, Helotes and other nearby communities. These families relied on their own ingenuity and resourcefulness although they accepted help from their neighbors when needed.
Phillip Ruempel, (1837-1909) was born in Offenbeck, Germany to Johannes Ruempel (1801- 1887) and Christina Sinnborn Lex (1802-1864). At the age of 18, he immigrated with his parents to Texas in 1855, along with other families from Offenberg and Bicken, Germany. They arrived in Galveston and initially established their home in New Braunfels, living in the household of Joseph and Katharine Mann. On April 23, 1869, Phillip Ruempel, who was then 32 years of age, married Carolina Braun, daughter of Phillip Braun (1810-1887) and Maria Susanna Braun (1812-1903), who also had also immigrated to Texas from Germany.
Phillip and Carolina Ruempel established their home in the area of present day Braun Road and Loop 1604. The tract of land was purchased on Jan. 8, 1867 for $440.00 by Phillip Ruempel from Gustav Wuest, acting as agent for Peter Odet. Odet had patented the land in January 1854 for Francois Giraud. (BCDR Vol. U1, p.195). Philipp Ruempel was both a mason and a farmer and most likely built the home with the help of his friends and neighbors. The Ruempels and the Brauns were members of Zion Lutheran Church and are buried in Cemetery #1 of Zion Lutheran, just across Loop 1604 from the Ruempel home. Philipp Ruempel and his son, Karl Joseph Ruempel were Charter members of the church. On April 29,1916, after the death of Phillip Ruempel, all of the surviving Ruempel children quitclaimed their interest in the property to their mother, Carolina Braun Ruempel.
The property was later sold and the new owner saved the two larger buildings and converted them into a popular restaurant… the Two Step. A great deal of effort, time and money was spent in saving much of the exterior and interior of the original buildings.