Watkins Products Business

Watkins Incorporated was founded by J.R. Watkins in 1868. Initially, Mr. Watkins manufactured and marketed a single product under the brand name Dr. Ward's Red Liniment. He started making liniment in the kitchen of his small home in Plainview, Minnesota.

Within a few short years Watkins was so successful that he had to move his manfuacturing plant to Winona, Minnesota in the 1870's. At that time, Winona was a thriving lumber center on the Mississippi River and had 6 railroads traveling through it. At its peak, Winona had a population of over 20,000 people.