The J.R. Watkins complex of buildings is on the National Register of Historic Places as noted by this marker.
AH, TO WORK in such a splendid place of marble and gold and Tiffany stained glass windows.
Greenery outside the Watkins’ office building.
That’s the setting for employees at J.R. Watkins, a Winona company that sells health remedies, baking products and much more; it’s especially known for its vanilla. Office workers labor inside a monumental building designed by noted Prairie School style architect George W. Maher of Chicago.
Chiseled above an entry into the administrative building.
The sprawling building features a 70-foot high rotunda dome coated with 24-carat gold leaf.
On a September visit to this Mississippi River community, I toured the 1912 office building which anchors a corner on the edge of downtown. It’s an unexpected gem, this stone structure that resembles a government building or art museum rather than the headquarters of a business.
Even the door handles are exquisite.
My husband and I couldn’t just walk inside. Rather, we phoned for access and then signed in.
Inside, looking toward the front doors and the Tiffany stained glass window featuring a rendition of Sugar Loaf.
The Sugar Loaf window up close.
Looking toward a mini-museum display of Watkins items, including a Watkins wagon.
The building features 224 stained glass skylights.
Skylights up close.
And, as you would expect, the space we were allowed to explore was limited to the main lobby area. Still, this was enough to impress as I gazed upon marble walls, the stained glass skylights (of which there are 224) and the custom-made Tiffany stained glass window (there are three) featuring Winona’s noted bluff landmark, Sugar Loaf. Because the windows are covered on the exterior to protect them, they are not quite as impressive as they could be. Still, you can’t leave this building without thinking, wow.
FYI: Check back tomorrow for a post on the Winona National Bank building.
© Copyright 2015 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
You know I am a huge prairie school architecture fan and this building is pretty amazing. Thanks for the glimpse into another treasure.
I so appreciated when you showed us the Prairie School architecture in Mason City. I love the simplicity of this architectural style. The clean, horizontal lines.
Love the ornate detail in older architecture. I wish this trend would return.
I do, too. But I imagine it’s all about keeping building costs down.
Gorgeous – love to work or live in a building like this with all the beautiful decorative detailing – loving your captures 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing – Happy Day – Enjoy!
I know. Wouldn’t it be something to work in such opulence?
Architects could learn a lot from this building! Too bad architecture these days, in my opinion, is too much of the same old glass and steel with nothing of interest. One building looks like the next.
Great pictures by the way!
Glad you enjoyed the photos, Don. I agree with you on most architecture today. Cost, I’m sure is the major factor. Can you imagine trying to finance a building like this today?
Beautiful building and great photography. It does make one wistful for former times. All this Watkins nostalgia had me check if their products are still available. YES! They say they use only the best sourced beans for their product: Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans. Man, that says it all, decadence! No wonder.
Their products number close to 400, if I’m remembering correctly.
Wow is right. You’ve captured this beautifully
Thank you.
Such a beautiful building with much detail. It reminds me alot of the Plummer building in downtown Rochester. You just dont see brass door handles anymore….I love these old buildings!
Downtown Rochester remains on my list of places to explore sometime.