Penken was primarily inhabited by cottagers who had to pursue secondary occupations. The owner of the Ferm inn, for example, had a carpentry franchise; others produced wooden rakes and pitchforks, and one had a tailor shop.
In the second half of the 20th century, increasing numbers of tourists came. The locals gradually gave up farming. Today there are few active farms in Schiefling, one of which is Pleierhof.
The Turiawald forest was known in the 19th century for its coal resources. During the First World War, mining was temporarily resumed. Apart from coal, very high-quality clay was mined.
Clay mining (SGA) 
Furnace setter Scharnagl (SGA) 
Map of the Turiawald mining area (SGA)
