Art District in Culver City in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Helms Building

Photographed By Michael Kindig, November 26, 2011

1. The Helms Building Marker

Inscription. Constructed in 1930 in Zig-Zag Moderne style, the Helms Building played an important part in the history of Culver City. It housed the Helms Bakery until 1969, a family owned business founded by Paul Helms. Helms Bakery was known as "the home of Helms Olympic Bread" since it was a food supplier for the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. Locals listened for the whistle of more than 1000 Helms Coaches as the vehicles traversed Southern California with their fresh baked goods. The building remains an important commercial structure, and although it is located in the City of Culver City and the City of Los Angeles, it was awarded Landmark status by the City of Culver City.

Erected 1997 by Culver City Historical Society. (Marker Number 9.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 34° 1.79′ N, 118° 23.042′ W. Marker is in Culver City, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in the Art District. Marker is at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Helms Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Washington Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8703-35 Washington Boulevard, Culver City CA 90232, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ivy Substation (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Culver Studios

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(approx. 0.6 miles away); The Citizen Publishing Building (approx. 0.7 miles away); Rocha Adobe (approx. 0.7 miles away); Main Street (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Culver Hotel (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Hull Building (approx. 0.8 miles away); Culver City (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Culver City.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The Helmsman statue, originally in front of this building, now in Marina Del Rey.

Also see . . . The Helms Bakery. Their unique mustard yellow colored trucks and distinct "toot-toot" whistles would signal that the Helmsman had arrived in your neighborhood. This scene was repeated on a daily basis by a fleet of approximately five hundred trucks all over Southern Californa. "Three times around the world every day" was the Helms Bakery slogan. (Submitted on November 30, 2011.)

Photographed By Craig Baker, May 23, 2018

2. The Helms Building Marker

The Helms Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Kindig, November 26, 2011

3. The Helms Building

Marker is mounted on the building to the left of the first red umbrella.

Photographed By Craig Baker, May 23, 2018

4. The Helms Building.

The opposite side from the marker, on Venice Blvd.

Photographed By Craig Baker, May 23, 2018

5. The Helms Building

The Helms Building Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Kindig, November 26, 2011

6. The Helms Building Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 724 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on January 10, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on November 29, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 2. submitted on May 23, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on January 22, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 4, 5. submitted on May 23, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on November 29, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.