Joseph Ray Watkins founded Watkins Incorporated in 1868 from the kitchen of his home in Plainview, Minnesota. Watkins was so confident of his home-manufactured product, Dr. Wards Liniment, that he introduced the now famous Watkins "Trial Mark" bottle, along with the first-ever money back guarantee.
By 1885 the production of Liniment had outgrown his home and the town of Plainview, so he moved the company to the booming lumber town of Winona, Minnesota, which boasted five railroads and was already an important port on the Mississippi River. In Winona, Watkins incorporated his company as the J. R. Watkins Medical Company. The company expanded its product line to include products such as Petro-Carbo Salve, Cathartic Pills, Vanilla, Black Pepper, and Cinnamon.
During the 1890’s Watkins opened branches around the country, beginning with San Francisco, California. In 1913 the company opened its first international branch in Winnipeg, Canada, and by the 1940s the company had more than 135 branch offices in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and England.
Since its beginnings, Watkins has been family owned and operated. J. R. Watkins’ descendents—Watkins and Kings—guided the company through its first 110 years. In 1978 Irwin L. Jacobs purchased Watkins, and the Jacobs family continues the Watkins’ tradition of manufacturing the highest quality products and providing outstanding service that exceeds expectations.
Milestones In Watkins’ 139-Year History
1868 J.R. Watkins Medical Company founded in Plainview, Minnesota. Launch of first product, Red Liniment.
1869 Introduction of Trial Mark™ bottle—America’s first money-back guarantee.
1888 
First Watkins factory building erected in Winona, Minnesota.
1895 Introduction of Watkins Vanilla Extract, Black Pepper and Cinnamon.
1901 Publication of first Watkins Almanac, Home Doctor and Cook Book.
1911 Death of J.R. Watkins.
1912 
Architecturally significant administration building completed at a cost of $1.2 million.
1913 International expansion begins with branch office in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
1920 Product line reaches 100 selections.
1922 Herb tablets (vitamins) introduced.
1928 
Watkins receives Gold Medal honors at Paris International Exposition for vanilla, black pepper, cinnamon and other pure spices.
1942 90 percent of Watkins’ production capacity dedicated to the WWII Allied effort.
1955 
Bill Porter begins his 50-plus year career with Watkins; his story of working “door-to-door” with cerebral palsy will inspire countless news stories and a television movie.
1960 Watkins ads appear live on NBC’s “Today” show, hosted by Dave Garroway.
1978 
Watkins Incorporated is acquired by Minneapolis entrepreneur Irwin L. Jacobs.
1990 Watkins quadruples in size under Jacobs’ ownership. Customer direct delivery offered.
1996 Watkins expands natural product line.
1997 Mark Jacobs named president; wellness product line is refined and expanded.
1999 Watkins counts over 350 products.
2002 Door to Door, the heartwarming TNT movie inspired by the life story of Watkins salesman, Bill Porter, debuts; wins 6 Emmy Awards, including Best Made-for-TV Movie and Best Actor (William H. Macy).
2003 Watkins celebrates 135th Anniversary.
Watkins launches Good Tastings™ by Watkins sampling/sales program for its direct selling Associates.
· In 1868, the Civil War had just ended and was a recent memory to everyone at the time. Andrew Johnson was President of the United States taking over from Abraham Lincoln who was recently assassinated.
A few things that did not exist yet include the telephone, the light bulb, airplanes, and the Suez and Panama Canals. There were just 37 states in the union and they were all in the same time zone since there was only one time zone. General George Custer and Geronimo were still alive and well. And J.R. Watkins was living in Plainview, Minnesota and had a dream, a recipe, and a kitchen where he created Watkins Red Liniment.
· Around the turn of the century, Watkins Products were being distributed nation-wide by thousands of Watkins representatives with that brand new invention - the automobile.
· During World War 2, 90% of Watkins production capacity was dedicated to the WWII Allied effort. Products included Pure Dried Whole Eggs, Dessert Powder, Gelatin Desserts, Lemon Juice Powder, Orange Beverage Base Powder, Louse Powder, and Insecticide Powder for Body Crawling Insects.
· J.R.'s Watkins Red Liniment launched a company that has created careers for hundreds of thousands of Watkins men and women over the years. In 1869, J.R. Watkins established America's first Money-Back Guarantee. He put a Trial-Mark on the Liniment Bottles and told customers that they could use the product down to that line and if they didn't like it, he'd give them their money back.
By 1915 Watkins was the largest direct selling company in the world and had the majority of the spice and extract market for decades.
Now we come to the point of this small history lesson. I hope you've made it this far!
· Do you remember how wonderful your Grandmother's cooking was? And your Great Grandmother's cooking? The traditional home-cooked meal by our ancestors were almost always cooked with Watkins Products, almost exclusively! That, and a pinch of love is what made those old-time traditional home-cooked meals so delicious and wonderful! Our Watkins products are what almost everyone used up until the 1950's and 60's. When people think fondly back at all those wonderful meals, Grandma's wonderful cookies, Great Aunt Mabel's amazing roast - They are thinking fondly of how wonderful Watkins products are!
· If you've never used Watkins products, you will be amazed at how special Watkins Products really are once you use them! Why do you think so many great people are involved with Watkins? Not just the wonderful income opportunity and the great products - but also the great family values and traditions that are synonymous with Watkins.