James Monroe “Jim” Krenkel (c. 1862-1943) was a pioneering miner in the Los Burros Mining District and co-discoverer of the famous Last Chance Mine.
DISCOVERY OF THE LAST CHANCE: In partnership with William D. “Willey” Cruikshank, Krenkel discovered the Last Chance Mine, the first truly paying mine in the Los Burros district.
SALE TO BUCLIMO: In 1887, Krenkel and Cruikshank sold the Last Chance Mine to seven investors who formed the Buclimo Corporation (BUrman, ULrich, CLinton, LInderman, Isenman, MOrey, OLsen).
DISTRICT RECORDER: Served as the official recorder for the Los Burros Mining District, keeping meticulous records of claims and assessment work. The recording fee was 50 cents.
OWN CLAIMS: After selling the Last Chance, worked his own claims including “The Protection” and “The Oregon,” which remained in the family.
HOME: Purchased his cabin from Judge Gag, who had built it with his family when they lived in Los Burros. The home featured water from a cool deep spring in the mouth of the Last Chance tunnel, carried to the house in V-troughs made from pine saplings.
MARRIAGE: Married Margaret Voss Schmidt on June 23, 1902. They had eight children together.
DEATH: Died of a heart attack in 1943 at age 81. Buried in King City.
Married: Margaret Voss Krenkel
Children: Bill Krenkel · James Krenkel Jr. · Charley Krenkel · Doreen Krenkel Whitney Digges · Hally "Hal" Krenkel · Howard "Tuck" Krenkel · Dorothy Krenkel · Lillian Krenkel Maxwell
gold mines
The Los Burros Mining District and the Lost Town of Manchester
Organized 1876, transformed by Willey Cruikshank's Last Chance strike in 1887 — and gone by 1897, burned and grown over. The rise and fall of the coast's gold district, and the lost town of Manchester.
gold mines
The Buclimo Mine - Named for Seven Partners
Burman, Ulrich, Clinton, Linderman, Isenman, Morey and Olsen — seven partners, one mine name: Buclimo.
mabel article
Mother Krenkel- A Coast Legend
City-bred Margaret Krenkel rode a mule to her own wedding at Los Burros and dug her well by hand — the real-life 'Hannah' of the coast.
mabel article
Willey Cruikshank - Mining Was His Life
The boy who watched Chinese miners pan Salmon Creek struck the Last Chance mine — and vanished into the Lucias in 1937. His life, told by a woman who knew him.
story
Mother Krenkel - Margaret Dug Well 50 Feet
City-bred Margaret Krenkel dug the family well through its first fifty feet — with her sister on the windlass.
story
Mother Krenkel Rode Mule "Gabe" to Her Wedding
Margaret Schmidt rode a mule named Gabe to her own wedding, June 23, 1902.
- birth 1862 — Born
- occupation 1887 · Los Burros Mining District — Sells the Last Chance Mine with Billy Cruikshank to the Buclimo partners
- marriage 1902-06-23 — Marries Margaret Schmidt at San Luis Obispo, Rev. Clague officiating
- death 1943 · Los Burros Mining District — Died
born life events land died