Watkins Incorporated facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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J. R. Watkins Medical Company Complex
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The J. R. Watkins Headquarters from the southwest
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 150 Liberty Street, Winona, Minnesota |
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| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Built | 1900–1914 |
| Architect | George W. Maher |
| Architectural style | Prairie School (1911 Administration Building) |
| NRHP reference No. | 84003940 |
| Added to NRHP | December 4, 2004 |
Watkins Incorporated makes health products, baking ingredients, and other things for your home. It started in 1868 and is located in Winona, Minnesota, in the United States. Watkins sells its products in stores and through a large group of independent salespeople.
Contents
The Story of Watkins
How Watkins Started
The company was started by J. R. Watkins in Plainview, Minnesota. In 1868, he began selling a special healing oil called liniment by going door-to-door. He traveled around the southeastern part of Minnesota.
A year later, J.R. Watkins came up with a clever idea: the "trial-mark bottle." This glass bottle had a mark molded into it. This mark showed how much product a customer could use. If they weren't happy, they could get their money back. A label on the bottle even said, "If not fully satisfied, your money cheerfully refunded." This is thought to be the first money-back guarantee in America!
Growing the Business
In 1885, the company moved to Winona, Minnesota. They started selling many more products. In 1895, they added baking items like pepper and vanilla extract. They also sold cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and other extracts.
Between 1889 and 1914, Watkins built six factories behind their main office building in Winona. J.R. Watkins passed away in 1911. In 1914, a tall ten-story building finished the look of the main office. This building had a huge dome that was 70 feet high and covered in real 24-carat gold. It also had beautiful blue stone walls, 224 stained glass skylights, and three special Tiffany glass windows.
Watkins During Wartime
During World War II, Watkins helped the war effort a lot. About 90% of what they made went to support the Allied forces. They produced dried eggs, juice packets, vitamin pills, hospital cleaners, and bug sprays for the government.
Changes and Challenges
In the 1940s, Watkins was the biggest direct-sales company in the world. This means they sold products directly to people, often door-to-door. But over time, people's shopping habits changed. The company struggled to keep up.
In the 1970s, Watkins faced financial problems. A businessman from Minneapolis, Irwin L. Jacobs, bought the company in 1978.
A New Direction
In 1996, Irwin Jacobs' son, Mark Evan Jacobs, started running the company. Mark had worked as a Watkins salesman for many years. He helped the company by controlling spending. He also improved how salespeople were paid. Mark also decided to start selling Watkins products in regular stores, not just door-to-door.
A Historic Headquarters
The seven buildings that make up the Watkins headquarters in Winona are very special. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important to the history of the country. In 2004, the complex was recognized for its amazing architecture and its role in business and industry.
It was the main office for the biggest direct sales company in the early 1900s. The 1911 Administration Building is a great example of Prairie School design by architect George W. Maher. The main entrance has a window made by Louis J. Millet. It shows Sugar Loaf, a famous landmark in Winona.
A Salesman's Story
In 2002, a movie called Door to Door told the true story of a Watkins salesman named Bill Porter. Bill worked for Watkins for 50 years in Portland, Oregon. He did his sales route even though he had cerebral palsy. Bill Porter was also featured in many news stories.
Recent Events
In 2017, the Watkins Company sold some of its product lines. These included home care, personal care, and over-the-counter remedies. A new company, J.R. Watkins Brands, now focuses only on these products.
In September 2018, Watkins broke a Guinness World Record! They made the cake with the most layers ever. It was a Lady Baltimore cake that was 6 feet 1 inch tall and had 260 layers. This beat the old record by 30 layers. The cake used 900 eggs, 480 pounds of sugar, and 7 pounds of Watkins All Natural Baking Vanilla Extract! This amazing cake was made for Watkins' 150th anniversary party.
See also
