The bound portion of the J. B. Watkins collection is comprised of 376 company records and miscellaneous volumes. The volumes are arranged in an order reflecting their purpose and relationship to Watkins' businesses. Major record groups within these company records include the J. B. Watkins Land Mortgage Company, the Kansas City, Watkins, & Gulf Railway, the Lawrence Canning Company, the Record Publishing Company, Watkins National Bank, various financial ledgers, and record books kept by Elizabeth Watkins.