Karl Alvin Bachner (1927-1963) Karl Bachner was born in Fairbanks in 1927 into a pioneering mining family from the Livengood Mining District. He grew up in Fairbanks, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and attended the Pacific Lutheran University before returning to work in the Alaskan construction industry. In 1953, he joined his father J. George Bachner and partner Mike Seiler in forming the Kenai Chrome Company to exploit the rich chromite deposits at Red Mountain, near Seldovia, Alaska. In 1955, their mining company produced 20 percent of the nation’s total metallurgical chrome. Despite appeals to the US government, they had difficulties getting their product to U.S. smelters at a price that could compete with oversees producers. They discontinued production in 1958, and Karl turned his efforts to the construction of landmark building throughout the new state of Alaska. In the 1970s, he became involved in real estate development. He was an avid horse racer and owned several winning racehorses. He died September 21, 1990, at age 63. Learn more about the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame at alaskamininghalloffame.org. www.AlaskaMiners.org 49 AMA Convention 2024
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