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A Past And A Future With The Steubings
Tucked away at the end of Hardy Oak Boulevard behind a typical subdivision, one can find a
chain-link fence, a gate, and the white face of a cow peering through. Behind this
unassuming gate lies the Steubing Ranch and the history of seven generations.
In the 1860s, Johann Classen emigrated from Prussia (modern day Germany) and
settled in what is now San Antonio. Land was cheap and plentiful in those days,
and Classen and his sons wasted no time in buying as much land as possible to
build a cattle ranch. The family raised Polled Herefords, the hardiest and fastest
growing cattle with good beef quality, and the best cattle for the terrain.
All five of Johann's children inherited the land from their father, but his son William added more property to his inheritance by buying most of the land that is now Stone Oak. William had two daughters and one son, and one of his grandsons, Leslie Steubing, is the current owner of the Steubing Ranch.
"I was raised on this ranch," says 91-year-old Leslie Steubing. " And I'd probably still be actively taking care of the ranch and the cattle if it weren't for this hip of mine." Darlene, his daughter, explains that until he was knocked down by one of the cattle in 2002, Leslie rode with the cattle, and fed and watered them. " My nephew runs the day-to-day affairs of the ranch, but my father is still concerned about all aspects of its maintenance," says Darlene.
Seven generations of Classens and Steubings have been raised on the ranch.
The Steubings have held onto their land, only selling or donating what they choose,
regardless of the pressures placed on them by city officials. Several years ago,
they sold land to the North East Independent School District for the construction
of Ronald Reagan High School. Today, they lease the land that is quarried on the
north end of Stone Oak along Hwy. 281. "We own more land than most
people realize," Darlene divulges. "Land that has been in my family
for many years."
Darlene is proud of her family's heritage and wants "Classen" and "Steubing" to be more than just names on a road sign or school. "Stone Oak would not be here if it weren't for these men," she says. "I think we owe it to them, and to the community, to keep their history, their legacy alive."
In the 1860s, Johann Classen emigrated from Prussia (modern day Germany) and
settled in what is now San Antonio. Land was cheap and plentiful in those days,
and Classen and his sons wasted no time in buying as much land as possible to
build a cattle ranch. The family raised Polled Herefords, the hardiest and fastest
growing cattle with good beef quality, and the best cattle for the terrain. All five of Johann's children inherited the land from their father, but his son William added more property to his inheritance by buying most of the land that is now Stone Oak. William had two daughters and one son, and one of his grandsons, Leslie Steubing, is the current owner of the Steubing Ranch.
"I was raised on this ranch," says 91-year-old Leslie Steubing. " And I'd probably still be actively taking care of the ranch and the cattle if it weren't for this hip of mine." Darlene, his daughter, explains that until he was knocked down by one of the cattle in 2002, Leslie rode with the cattle, and fed and watered them. " My nephew runs the day-to-day affairs of the ranch, but my father is still concerned about all aspects of its maintenance," says Darlene.
Seven generations of Classens and Steubings have been raised on the ranch.
The Steubings have held onto their land, only selling or donating what they choose,
regardless of the pressures placed on them by city officials. Several years ago,
they sold land to the North East Independent School District for the construction
of Ronald Reagan High School. Today, they lease the land that is quarried on the
north end of Stone Oak along Hwy. 281. "We own more land than most
people realize," Darlene divulges. "Land that has been in my family
for many years." Darlene is proud of her family's heritage and wants "Classen" and "Steubing" to be more than just names on a road sign or school. "Stone Oak would not be here if it weren't for these men," she says. "I think we owe it to them, and to the community, to keep their history, their legacy alive."