Does anyone remember visits from a Watkins salesman?
By Joan Janzen
Do any rural prairie dwellers remember receiving a visit from a Watkins salesman any time during the span of the 1930s to 1970s? Visits from door-to-door salesmen were uncommon in rural Saskatchewan, with one exception - visits from the ‘Watkins man.’
An Alsask resident shared a memory: “My parents had a hardware store, so a lot of salesmen came in. The Watkins salesman always came at dinner time.” Meal-time visits were a common memory shared by those receiving visits on rural farms.
Does anyone remember being visited by a Watkins salesman any time from the 1930s to late 1970s? This photo of a Watkins salesman is from the Glenbow Archives - Calgary. Photo: Glenbow Archives - Calgary
Watkins was well known for sending travelling sales representatives to customers in Australia, the US and Canada. The salesmen would visit farms at a time when people were less mobile and travelled less frequently to their closest shopping centre.
The company was well known for its medicated ointment, liniment for human pain relief, and salve for livestock. The salesman would come equipped with a suitcase full of samples. Once a farmer bought a product, the salesman would head out to his van or car and deliver the product to the house. It was the precursor to Amazon. Of course mom, dad and the kids would accompany him to his vehicle so they could check out all the merchandise in his van.
People may also remember the different flavours of drinks offered, popular spices, vanilla extract and three different flavours of pie filling: chocolate, vanilla and coconut.
While growing up on a Saskatchewan farm, our Watkins salesman farmed nearby, so his visits were frequent. I’d pedal my bike along the dirt road when he’d drive by and pelt me with handfuls of rock-hard candy, which I’d have to search for along the road. He’d always stay for a coffee and a visit.
Someone else remembered he would give away a broom as a bonus gift to any housewife who made a large purchase. I don’t remember my mother receiving a broom, but I was always happy to see the Watkins man because it meant cream pies were guaranteed to be served in the not too distant future.
Do you remember receiving a visit from a Watkins salesman? Tell us about it; we’d love to hear from you.