Background
John Paul Krempel was born in 1861 in Germany.
John Paul Krempel was born in 1861 in Germany.
He arrived in the United States when he was about twenty-five years of age, and shortly after settled in Los Angeles. After securing work with Frank J. Capitan, one of the city's early architects, Mr. Krempel served as draftsman for a few years, subsequently was taken into partnership. In 1894 he established his own office and carried on work alone until 1911 when he Joined Walter Erkes in organizing the firm of which he was the head until the time of his death.
Among the early buildings in Los Angeles designed by the firm was the building for the Times-Mirror Company, second on the site, built c.1910; a three-story block on Spring Street at Third; Maier-Brewery Company buildings on North Main Street, and the home of General Otis on Wilshire Boulevard, remodeled and occupied in recent years by the Otis Institute. Krempel & Erkes also planned Sugar Refineries at Oxnard and Chino; the Hotel, Masonic Building and other structures at Oxnard; the old Inn at Santa Monica; Santa Barbara High School, and various other buildings.
Appointed to the California State Board of Architectural Examiners, South¬ern Branch, in 1909, Mr. Krempel served as president during 1914 and 1915, and continued a member until the time of his death.