A Natural History
158 Years of Tradition
From a bluff high above the Mississippi River in Winona, Minnesota comes the purity of Watkins. Our tried-and-true products have been good and natural through and through since 1868. We've made our products in the same factory for over 158 years.
Today - 2000
2000 - 1950
1950 - 1900
1900 - 1868
2026
Watkins launches Specialty Salts.
2025
Watkins launches Cherry Bitters.
2022
Watkins launches Aromatic and Orange Bitters.
2021
Watkins launches Vanilla Bean Paste.
2021
Watkins launches its 1868 Organic Grilling line of products featuring Seasonings, Rubs and Marinades.
2019
Watkins launches artificial dye-free Baking Decorations.
2018
The 150th Anniversary Celebration was held over two days in September and featured manufacturing tours, live music, and plenty of food.
2018
During the Watkins 150th Anniversary Celebration in September 2018, Watkins became the title holder for the Guinness World Records "Greatest Number of Layers in a Layer Cake". Watkins' Guinness World Records title holding cake had a total of 260 layers.
2018
Watkins launches a new line of organic spices, herbs and seasoning blends.
2018
Watkins launches artificial dye-free Food Coloring.
2005
The Watkins Administration Building and manufacturing plant are placed on The National Registry of Historical Places.
2002
Watkins launches a Food Service/Hospitality program offering high-quality spices, seasoning, and extracts.
1995
Watkins celebrates its 125th Anniversary.
1988
Watkins expands its product line to include sauces, marinades and snack seasonings.
1980
Watkins returns its focus back to its core heritage products such as spices, extracts, and remedies.
1973
Watkins introduces new line of gourmet food products under the J. Zachary label.
1968
Watkins celebrates its 100 year anniversary.
1966
To increase the size of its salesforce, Watkins begins recruiting women to become Independent Watkins Dealers through an ad campaign in magazines such as Good Housekeeping and Ebony.
1960
As part of an ongoing national advertising campaign, Watkins sponsors Dave Garroway's Today Show on NBC.
1955
Watkins introduces its first modern catalog that features product descriptions, an illustration, and price for each item.
1953
By 1953 Watkins product were sold in the United States, Canada, South Africa and Australia.
1928
Watkins Vanilla & Spices win the Gold Medal for the Highest Quality at the 1928 Paris International Exposition in Paris, France.
1912
In 1912, Watkins offers a selection of 10 different herbs & spices and 11 different extracts & flavorings.
1911
J.R. Watkins dies at age 71, the same year the Watkins Administration Building was completed.
1905
The Watkins Shipping Department begins using the recently invented electric truck to move finished products.
1900
Watkins publishes the first Watkins Almanac.
1894
J.R. discontinues the Dr. Ward’s name and incorporates his business as The J. R. Watkins Medical Company.
1893
25th Anniversary of the start of the business.
1885
J.R. Watkins relocates his family and company from Plainview, MN to Winona, MN. At the time, Winona was Minnesota's third largest city and had thriving lumber and flour milling industries.
1869
J.R. Watkins launched the Watkins Trial-Mark in 1869. The Trial-Mark is believed to be the first money-back guarantee in America. Molded into the glass bottle, about one-third of the way down, was a mark that showed how much of the product a customer could use and still get a refund.
1868
Dr. Richard Ward sells the rights to Dr. Ward’s Celebrated Liniment to J. R. Watkins for $100.00. J. R. begins manufacturing liniment in the kitchen of his home in Plainview, MN.
