A TWO STEP HISTORY

The Ruempel House and Barn

Two Step Restaurant and Cantina is constructed from a homestead originally built in the 1850’s by early American pioneers and German immigrants, Philipp and Carolina (Braun) Ruempel.  Philipp and Carolina were among the earliest settlers of Helotes, Texas.  After marrying in 1869 they raised ten children in the Ruempel homestead and remained there for the rest of their lives.  The restaurant is constructed from what originally functioned as a house and barn.

German Immigration to Helotes, Texas

In the 1840’s poor economic and social conditions in Germany led many to look to America for better opportunities for themselves and their families.  Largely available land and rumors of prolific farming conditions led many of these immigrants to Texas.   Thousands of immigrants were shipped to the Texas coast with promises of transportation to homesteads where they would be granted hundreds of acres of land, homes, furnishings and more.

Arriving instead to war ravaged Texas, many of these families were left stranded and without resources to fend for themselves.  While many died or settled on the coast, some persevered on the long journey to New Braunfels and Fredericksburg where the burgeoning German community soon became over crowded.  In the 1860’s Texas, then a part of the United States, began offering settlers 160 acres of public domain land as incentive to settle the wild frontier.  This led to the discovery of Helotes and Leon Springs in current day Helotes, Texas.  In the 1860’s mostly German and Mexican immigrants began to settle the area, which sat deep in Indian Territory.  Though Apache and Comanche Indians often raided and killed, the settlers persevered existing mostly through farming and ranching endeavors.  They built homes and barns from limestone, many of which still stand today.

German Immigration to Helotes, Texas

In the 1840’s poor economic and social conditions in Germany led many to look to America for better opportunities for themselves and their families.  Largely available land and rumors of prolific farming conditions led many of these immigrants to Texas.   Thousands of immigrants were shipped to the Texas coast with promises of transportation to homesteads where they would be granted hundreds of acres of land, homes, furnishings and more.

Arriving instead to war ravaged Texas, many of these families were left stranded and without resources to fend for themselves.  While many died or settled on the coast, some persevered on the long journey to New Braunfels and Fredericksburg where the burgeoning German community soon became over crowded.  In the 1860’s Texas, then a part of the United States, began offering settlers 160 acres of public domain land as incentive to settle the wild frontier.  This led to the discovery of Helotes and Leon Springs in current day Helotes, Texas.  In the 1860’s mostly German and Mexican immigrants began to settle the area, which sat deep in Indian Territory.  Though Apache and Comanche Indians often raided and killed, the settlers persevered existing mostly through farming and ranching endeavors.  They built homes and barns from limestone, many of which still stand today.

Carolina Braun

Carolina Braun was the second youngest of six children born to Philip Braun and Mara Susan Lusana in Nassau, Deggendorf, Bayern, Germany. Philip and Mara immigrated to Helotes, Texas in 1862 where they eventually acquired 3,000 acres of land.  Several of their children were charter members of the Zion Church.  They were prominent founding members of the community and the family after whom  Braun Road is named.

Philipp and Carolina’s Children

• Anton Theodor Ruempel married Clara Franziska Steubing in 1921 and resided in Helotes until his death in 1960
• Christian Johann Ruempel resided in Helotes until he died from influenza in 1918.

The construction of Two Step Restaurant and Cantina is in accordance with the guidelines of the San Antonio Conservation Society and has been completed with the utmost respect for the original structure.  Exterior walls have been preserved as well as original roofing where possible.  All materials required to be taken down were repurposed in other areas of the restaurant.