A family heirloom, originated in Bellville, Illinois. Larry Watson of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania received the seed from his aunt Lil when she came out to Pennsylvania for a Christmas visit in about 1985. She was 77 at the time and passed away in 2002. She told Larry that they were her favorite tomato and that she had gotten them in 1949 from Mrs. Smith who lived in Briar Hill, which was just next to Signal Hill where she lived in St. Clair County, Illinois. Mrs. Smith said that her mother had given the seeds to her, and the family had been growing them around Chester, Illinois for many many years.
First offered in the Seed Savers 2002 Yearbook by Bill Minkey of Darien, Wisconsin, who obtained the seeds from Larry Watson of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. Indeterminate, regular leaf plant produces 10-20 oz., very large red beefsteak tomatoes. Meaty and juicy, with excellent balanced rich flavor.

Culinary Use

Slicer

Flavor Profile

Well-balanced

Flesh Color

Red

Fruit Color

Red

Fruit Shape

Oblate / Ribbed

Fruit Size

Large

Leaf Type

Regular

Maturity

Mid-season

Plant Type

Indeterminate

Variety

Heirloom / Open Pollinated