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Helms Bakeries, bakers of Helms Olympic Bread, Los Angeles, California

 
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Title
Helms Bakeries, bakers of Helms Olympic Bread, Los Angeles, California
Date
1940
Description
An exterior view of the Helms Bakery Building, located between Venice Blvd. and Washington Blvd. at Helms Ave. in Culver City, California. The Helms Olympic Bread logo appears in the upper left corner of the image.
Format Extent
1 postcard : Color ; 9 x 14 cm.
Subject
Bakeries--California--Culver City; Commercial buildings--California--Culver City;
Note
Culver City was developed on land that was formerly part of Rancho La Ballona, belonging to the Machado and Talamantes families, and Rinc??n de Los Bueyes, which belonged to the Higuera and Lopez families. In 1913, Harry H. Culver, who had been working in a real estate firm in Van Nuys, announced his plans to create a city midway between downtown Los Angeles and the beachside resort town of Venice. The location consisted of only 1.2 square miles, but was located along railroad tracks and other transportation routes, and in a temperate area. He formed the Culver Investment Company, and began working to create a community that balanced commercial and residential interests. Over the next fifty years, the city would prosper and grow in size to about five square miles. In 1915, Culver convinced Thomas Ince to move his Inceville movie studios to the new community, and throughout Culver City's early years, movie studios provided the economic base for the area. Culver City incorporated in 1917. In 1931, Paul Helms opened his industrial bakery business on the border of Culver City with 32 employees and 11 coaches. Every weekday morning, Helms trucks would deliver baked goods throughout the Los Angeles area, and the Helms motto, "Daily to your Door" was inscribed on the bakery building's exterior. Helms won a contract to supply bread for the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, a fact which was proudly displayed on the Helms logo thereafter. Over the years, the bakeries enjoyed considerable success. In 1969, the bakery won a contract to supply the first bread to be taken on a space shuttle to the moon. Later that same year, however, the bakery closed due to changing lifestyle patterns, insurance issues, and competition from supermarkets.
Collection
Werner von Boltenstern Postcard Collection
Type
Geographic Location
Culver City (Calif.)
Language
eng
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