Metzler Photo Studio - San Luis Obispo

Metzler Photo Studio was operated by Fred R. Metzler from approximately 1926 to 1946. It may have been first known as "Photo Craft," and his studio was located at 877 Higuera.¹In 1931 he moved to 1017 Chorro Street.²Through the years, his offerings included portrait and commercial photography, Kodak finishing and enlarging, coloring, and framing.

Metzler came to San Luis Obispo with Walter Allen (1883-1963) as part of the Allen & Metzler photography studio in 1923, previously they were based in Centralia, Washington, as early as 1920 listed together in the census.⁶ Metzler is listed independently in the newspaper advertisements starting in 1926, and Walter Allen in the 1930 census is living in Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, as a photographer, but in 1931, Walter Allen is again associated with Metzler, listed as in charge of the portrait department, "experienced in operating large portrait studios in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Hollywood."⁷By 1940, census records show that Walter Allen was living in Dinuba, Tulare County practicing as a photographer.

Metzler was born April 24, 1879 in Canada.⁴ He passed away May 20, 1946 and was buried in the Old Mission Cemetery.⁵ Later that year, the business license for Metzler's studio was transferred from the Metzler estate to W. Young Louis, of the Louis Photo Studio.³