1939 Helms Bakery Truck by goodoleboy
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Description
Twentieth in a series of classic vehicles, captured 9/21/08, at the beautiful Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance, held annually at the beautiful Trump National Golf Club on the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula in overpopulated Southern California.
For more information on this event, see my posting for 9/28/08.
Few of you have ever seen, heard of, or remember this neighborhood bakery goods vehicle, or even know its history, so following is some pertinent information on the enterprise:
The Helms Bakery in Culver City, California was a notable industrial bakery of Southern California that operated from 1931 to 1969.
In 1926, Paul Helms of New York took an early retirement for health reasons and moved his family to Southern California and its mild climate. Helms started construction on a building between Washington and Venice Boulevards in 1930 and, on March 2, 1931, the Helms Bakery opened with 32 employees and 11 delivery coaches (trucks).
Despite never being sold in stores, Helms baked products soon became known to millions of consumers. The Helms motto was "Daily at Your Door" and every weekday morning, from both the Culver City facility and a second Helms Bakery site in Montebello, dozens of Helms panel trucks, painted in a unique two-tone scheme, would leave the bakery for various parts of the Los Angeles Basin, some going as far as the eastern San Gabriel Valley. This is remarkable because the network of freeways had not yet been built, so the trip might take an hour or more. Each truck would travel through its assigned neighborhoods, with the driver periodically pulling (twice) on a large handle which sounded a distinctive whistle. Customers would come out and wave the truck down, or sometimes chase the trucks to adjacent streets. Wooden drawers in the back of the truck were stocked with fresh donuts, cookies and pastries, while the center section of the truck carried dozens of loaves of freshly-baked bread. Products often reached the buyers still warm from the oven.
However popular, the Helms method of neighborhood delivery was doomed both by the expense of sending trucks hundreds of miles each week and by the advent of the supermarket, which stocked products from other (less expensive) bakeries, which delivered once or twice each week. The Helms company ceased operations in 1969.
Source: Wikipedia Enyclopedia
Thankx for dropping by, and have a stupendous Saturday.
Comments (20)
mbz2662
Excellent Harry :) I'll have to ask my mom if she remembers the Helm's Bakery Trucks.
Pewter7
What a cute little vehicle, and marvelously interesting history! Thank you so much for sharing :)
tallpindo
I remember the name more because it was the name of a program manger on the AMST project. These trolley car inspired truck shapes are very clever. I wonder if they were West Coast built. The big stop light under the bumper is a hoot.
kimariehere
I saw a special documentary on these trucks and of the popularity of them in the 5 ( think it was on PBS _) guess the whistle would blow and people would come running!!! So wonderful to see this collage of the helms truck here fabulous work!!!
odie
That is an amazing story. Wonderful images, too. Thanks Harry!
babuci
This was a wonderful info about a good old time bakery shoping. I would love to chase a truck just to get a fressh product on my table daily. We still have an icecream truck in my area, what a fun to small ppl and a most friendliest service. Wonderful and rare capture for me at least what I realy like it.
beachzz
I remember the Helm's trucks, they were a huge treat!!
ledwolorz
Fantastic story and capture.
Hendesse
Excellent shots and interesting informations. I like these boxes on wheels.
durleybeachbum
So interesting, Harry! I still have my milk delivered in real glass bottles, no waste, returned, reused ad infinitum.
wingnut55
interesting pics and history.
MrsRatbag
I remember the Helms trucks too, such a feeling of excitement to hear their little "toot"...and then begging for change to go get a cookie or cupcake! Wow, what a blast from the past! (And whenever I hear a short toot in a particular tone my first immediate thought is "HELMS!")
cmolsen2002
What a fascinating piece of history is described by this great image!
RobyHermida
Wonderful shot and work my friend!!
jackielhodges
Sure am enjoying this series. I remember my aunt having a cookie jar in this shape and color. Must have been a promo.
frankie96
Really glad someone took the time and expense to restore this piece of history...
bmac62
I'll bet Paul Helms never could have envisioned one of his little vans winding up in the same company with classic cars at a Concours event...unless it was still selling bakery products. The history really rounds out the story of this special vehicle. Your collage presentation is tops. Bill
e-brink
What a great truck. A nice subject for modeling.
Biffowitz
Boy it's even shaped like a loaf of bread. Cool capture O'lboy, this looks great!!
CavalierLady
I very much enjoyed looking through your images that I have missed these past couple of weeks... The gorgeous jaguar... my dream car, the wonderful classic old woodie wagon, jowett, lagonda, delage, unique cars new to me, the classic ferrari, triumph, and packard, a wonderful series you have presented for us, Harry!