“Daily at your door” . . . that was the Culver City-based Helms Bakeries motto. Long-time Angelenos of a certain age will certainly recall the signature blue-and-creamy yellow Helms Bakeries trucks, their merry double-toot whistle that could be heard a few neighborhood blocks away, and the stylish uniformed delivery drivers. And the anticipation that awaited the arrival of those wood-paneled trucks pulling up to the curb . . . built-in shelves and wooden drawers loaded with orderly rows of fresh breads, cakes, cookies, donuts, etc. These are all a part of the collective So Cal memory. Do you remember waiting for the Helms truck?
Today, word on the street is that fall 2013 will see the re-opening of L.A.’s iconic “Helms Bakery” in Culver City . . . forty-four years after the original business closed. However, this newest addition to the popular and historic Helms Bakery District will be totally 21st century—a multi-use space that will include a full service restaurant, a bakery, a take-away counter, and a store for specialty items. (The Helms Bakery District is located at 8800 Venice Boulevard.)
The original Helms was an industrial bakery that operated from 1931 to 1969. It was founded by Paul Helms, an ambitious New York transplant.
Every weekday morning, his fleet of Helms trucks would load up and cover the Los Angeles Basin . . . long before our City of the Angel’s famed freeway system was in place. Each truck made deliveries to assigned neighborhoods. As each driver moved around his area, he would pull twice on the distinctive whistle and keep an eye out for homes displaying a blue placard with the big letter “H” in a window. Customers (mostly housewives and children) would head out to meet the truck, waving at the driver to stop so they could maker their selections. 
Like your regular postman, the Helms driver often became a part of the community that he served year after year. In 1932, Helms Bakeries became the official bread supplier for the Olympics, which were held in Los Angeles that year. The company’s signature “Olympic Bread” was packaged in distinctive wrapping that sported the famous five-ringed Olympic symbol. The recently restored Helms Bakeries neon sign still proudly advertises that Olympic history.
Helms ceased operation in 1969. Ultimately, it was doomed by the change in Angeleno’s shopping habits . . . housewives weren’t home during the day, they were often at work. Grocery store chains were creating their own bakeries that were competitive and convenient for hurried shoppers. It was, of course, the end of era . . . and a harbinger of the fast-paced, fast-food, convenience market lifestyle to come.
To see a Helms Bakeries truck for real, head to the Petersen Automotive Museum on Wilshire Blvd. in West L.A. . . . a fab place that is always worth the visit!
I had a 1962 Panel Helms truck which I bought from the widow of an original driver. Sold it to Bruce Roland of Redondo Beach. I have an extra drawer dated 1953 if anyone needs one. Stamped Helms on the side. Would like to get to someone who can use it. I don’t want to just put on the curb. Maybe $25.00?
Contact Rich my62helms@yahoo.com
hi rich do you still have the drawer thanks
Worked for Helms as a swamper on an 18 wheeler in summer. Taking product to outlet where drivers would fill their trucks with orders. The drivers voted to unionize. Helms said no and shut their doors.
What was a swamper, Bob? Interesting comment re: unionization. Now Helms just a memory.
I’m glad you posted this. My mother told me that the factory closed rather than unionize but that part of history seems to be scrubbed from Wikipedia and other accounts.
Bob, I’m glad you posted this. My mother told me that the factory closed rather than unionize, but that part of history seems to be scrubbed from Wikipedia and other accounts. I have fond memories of glazed, buttermilk and jelly donuts and a rare eclair when I had windfall money. We went on a school field trip to watch the bread conveyor belt. Still smell the baking bread.
Great memories, Gloria! And I remember the truck, the whistle, and the excitement of seeing all those donuts when the Helms man opened that wooden drawer. The cabinetry in those trucks was amazing.
I own a 1936 fully restored, right down to the pastries in the draws. It has the original engine and running gear, and all of the extras.
My husband and I bought it 40 years ago, and took our time restoring it. One doesn’t just go to Pep Boys for replacement parts…. We both remember the trucks coming thru our neighborhoods and would beg for a Nickel to buy a goodie. The Helmsmen were the most patient and kind men and would let us (and most kids) look at everything, and then of course buy the same goody that we always bought.
That is so fabulous, Molly! Do you get to show it off at any vintage auto shows? I, too, remember the Helms truck visits – we had a house on a tiny cul-de-sac in Highland Park and could hear that Helms whistle as the truck came down the street. Always loved when the Helms man would open the donut drawer! All us kids would gather around 🙂 The wood used for the drawers was lovely.
Molly,
How can we contact you? We acquired a Helm’s truck at the Zimmerman El Segundo Driving Museum and we have a lot of questions.
https://www.johnfry.com/pages/PhotoSanDiego057.html They had a bakery in San Diego too
Great photo! All that open land….plenty of room for Helms Bakery back then. And no traffic…wow.
I can’t recall where the bakery was, but they used to park their trucks in an area in Mission Valley next to the freeway. The building is still there. I believe a rental car company is currently there. I remember those trucks well.
I remember these Helms bakery trucks as well as the Good Humer ice cream trucks growing up in the fifties and sixties as a kid in Whittier California! Great times! Got to go to the Helms bakery!!
Thank you for sharing . . . still remember the whistle of the Helms truck coming own the street and then watching the donut drawer slide open, full of treats!
I lived in Tujunga Canyon of LA from birth until 4th grade. Is was the best feeling to hear the whistle and run out and yes… smell the baked goods in the wood holders! Better than any ice cream truck! What a special memory… nothing tasted better!! I used to have a little cardboard Helms truck that you would fold and display… I believe from a school trip. The best!!!
Great memories indeed, Sandi! I lived on a tiny cul-de-sac in Highland Park and the whistle of the Helms truck had all of us kids running out into the street 😉
Helms Bakery, Arden dairy farms, and the Good Humor man selling orange push-ups. All memories of immediate post-war LA. I grew up in Pasadena. 🙂
I own a fully restored 1936 Twin Coach Helms vehicle. We acquired it about 30 years ago, and have spent a great deal of time on the restoration. I am interested in finding a good and proper home for the coach, which is of museum quality restoration.
Molly. I’m sure you have had many responses to your posting. My name is Theresa McLemore. I am interested in purchasing your Helms truck.
theresa.mclemore@ucr.edu
I lived in Rosemead and our Helms delivery was so trusted he came into our house, checked the bread drawer, put in what we needed and left. Those were the days you did not have to lock your doors and you could trust people. Those were wonderful days.
Helmed was a national treasure.
chiffon cake receipe Please!!!!!
As a kid in the early 60’s in Pacific Beach we watched for the Helms Bakery truck to drive through our neighborhood. Few of us had money to buy anything but our “Helms Man” always had a tennis ball with him he would throw high into the air and whoever caught it got a free doughnut.
I enjoyed reading about Helms Bakery Trucks and Business. So Many TasteFul Moments. Memories of being around friends and Smiles. Smelling The fresh aroma. Seeing them drawers rolling out with a wonders of colorful donuts. And with smiles from the driver and us people (children), ready & willing to taste our Fresh Delightfully Served Donut. Straight to our smiling Face awaiting the tongue for Fullfilling our Taste of excellent pleasing freshness.
I remember the helms bakery in downey ca.I was about 11 yrs old,he would toot the horn as he went up the street,then come back and stop who was out front waiting”now I’m restoring a 1963 helms chevy panel truck.I have owned it for 18 yrs,and its almost finished for some car shows.the license permit on the back window is from where i was born LYNWOOD CA. whats the odds on that..
I remember the Helms Bakery trucks in Oceanside, Ca. in 1958 when I was 15 yrs old – those wooden cabinets absorbed the smell of the baked goods and when the back door was opened it made your mouth water. I was living with my brother and family in the Marine Corps Sterling Housing project at the time. Couldn’t wait to load up on the brownies from the Helms truck.