The Donut Hole
Encyclopedia
The Donut Hole is a bakery and landmark in La Puente, California
. An example of programmatic architecture
, the building is shaped like two giant donuts through which customers drive to place their orders. The bakery is one of the most photographed donut shops in the United States.
. The shop in La Puente was the second to open, in 1968, and was followed by three others. The La Puente location, however, was the only one shaped like donuts, and dates of the building's original construction range from 1947 to 1958 to 1962. What is certain is that the donut chain went out of business in 1979. The Covina branch was completely remodeled and the others were demolished, and only the La Puente location remains today as a working bakery.
It is a local tradition for newlyweds to drive through the donuts; some cite good luck as the reason, while others credit the sexual symbolism. The building has been struck by cars several times in its history, most recently in 2004 when an out-of-control car crashed through one of the donut facades.
La Puente, California
La Puente is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 39,816 at the 2010 census.* City flower: The Golden Hibiscus* City colors: Green and White.-History:...
. An example of programmatic architecture
Novelty architecture
Novelty architecture is a type of architecture in which buildings and other structures are given unusual shapes as a novelty, such as advertising, notoriety as a landmark, or simple eccentricity of the owner or architect. Many examples of novelty architecture take the form of buildings that...
, the building is shaped like two giant donuts through which customers drive to place their orders. The bakery is one of the most photographed donut shops in the United States.
History
The first Donut Hole opened in 1963, in Covina, CaliforniaCovina, California
Covina is a small city in Los Angeles County, California about east of downtown Los Angeles, in the San Gabriel Valley region. The population was 47,796 at the 2010 census, up from 46,837 at the 2000 census...
. The shop in La Puente was the second to open, in 1968, and was followed by three others. The La Puente location, however, was the only one shaped like donuts, and dates of the building's original construction range from 1947 to 1958 to 1962. What is certain is that the donut chain went out of business in 1979. The Covina branch was completely remodeled and the others were demolished, and only the La Puente location remains today as a working bakery.
It is a local tradition for newlyweds to drive through the donuts; some cite good luck as the reason, while others credit the sexual symbolism. The building has been struck by cars several times in its history, most recently in 2004 when an out-of-control car crashed through one of the donut facades.