The area was first settled as early as 1881 when Presbyterian minister Roy Mills built a mission house along Helmer Creek.

Charles Fyvie served as postmaster from June 25, 1907 until the Helmer post office was discontinued on September 30, 1914.

Helmer continues to exist as an unincorporated community within Lakefield Township and contains a small population and a few businesses.

The building was constructed in 1881–1882 as a mission house and manse by Roy Mills of the Presbyterian church from Newberry.

The Helmer post office, which was established in 1894, was located within the structure until it was ultimately discontinued as a rural branch in 1920.

In 2017, the building was at risk of being demolished until local residents James and Kristen Handrich purchased and restored the structure by the following year.

The building reopened in 2020 as the Helmer House Inn & Cafe, which serves as a bakery and provides bed and breakfast accommodations.

[11] Helmer is a small community located within Lakefield Township in the state's Upper Peninsula about 15 miles (24.1 km) west of the village of Newberry.

Aside from Newberry, the nearest sizable communities include McMillan to the north, Curtis to the south, Engadine to the southeast, and Germfask and Seney to the west.