Several miles south of where I live (Austin, Texas) is Gruene Hall, one of the last Texas dance halls still in operation. However, at one time the landscape was dotted with such "honky tonks" that supported a vibrant live music scene of local musicians and traveling bands.
You may not be aware, but there was once such place at Kool Point, a site on the bank of Caddo Lake west of Oil City, where several nights a week there was live entertainment. Its heyday coincided largely with that of the Louisiana Hayride, as several notable performers made their way out to play at the venue. The night club/dance hall Kool Point burned in 1955 and was later replaced by a popular catfish restaurant that also burned in the late 1970s. Today there is only a faded sign to hint at what once was.
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| Google Maps view of Kool Point site |
Below we recap the history, people, and events associated with the once lively, but now tranquil, shady spot on the shore of Caddo Lake.
Pre-1920s
The area around the Kool Point site has been a place for recreation going back to the late 1890s, when the Ananias Hunting and Fishing Club located nearby. A social column in the Shreveport Times identifies S H. Marshall taking charge of its operations in 1896.
Shreveport Times 03-Sep-1896, Page 5
Ananias Station, a flag stop on the railroad later to become Oil City, was created to allow members to reach their resort. The fishing was apparently so bountiful they were planning to add a side spur and obtain refrigerator cars in order to preserve their take for the return home.
Shreveport Times 17-Feb-1897, Page 5
1920s
The earliest reference found to "Cool Point" provided directions for patrons coming to the camp from Shreveport.
Shreveport Times 08-Jun-1924, Page 39
A Sunday School party held in 1925 is described below.
Shreveport Times 26-Jul-1925 Page 25
Scenes from a fishing outing to Cool Point in August 1926 were published in the Shreveport Times.
Shreveport Times 08-Aug-1926, Page 31
On 20-May-1927 Howard Fortson Post No. 138 of the American Legion hosted a fish fry attended by the state commander and other officials, as well as members of the Vivian, LA post.
Shreveport Times 21-May-1927, Page 12
Later that year the local post hosted a huge Independence Day celebration, attended by prominent dignitaries including former Louisiana governor Ruffin Pleasant and Shreveport mayor L. E. Thomas; with music, activities, and free food provided for attendees.
Shreveport Times 25-Jun-1927, Page 12
A newspaper advertisement for the event.
Shreveport Times 25-Jun-1927, Page 12
A newspaper advertisement for the event.
Shreveport Times 30-Jun-1927, Page 18
The Louisiana Oil Refining Company (LORECO) band, pictured earlier that year.
Shreveport Times 06-Jul-1927, Page 10
Throughout this time, social pages in the local newspaper reported numerous events taking place there. Examples follow:
Oil City High School junior class weiner roast.
Shreveport Times 27-Nov-1927, Page 11
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| Miss Bowman on the faculty of Fair Park High School - 1932 |
Centenary College Math Society outing.
Shreveport Times 22-May-1929, Page 10
1930s
The earliest instance found of the "Kool" Point spelling appeared in this April 1932 advertisement, noting among amenities provided - dining and dancing..
Shreveport Times 06-Apr-1932, Page 12
This advertisement offered dancing for the Fourth of July, featuring a five-piece band.
Shreveport Times 02-Jul-1932, Page 12
Another example of the site hosting a recreational outing - this time for a Shreveport professional women's group. The site is incorrectly stated to have been on Cross Lake.
Shreveport Times 31-Jul-1932, Page 21
Bert Benton and his Original Night Hawks were advertised to be playing there on 19-May-1934 per that day's Shreveport Journal. The accompanying photo of the group, taken in 1929, was published in the Journal in 1983. This was when Kool Point was operated by Katie Cheshier, who later owned the Cheshier Hotel in OC (between the Ford place and Eggleston's), which had previously been the Hotel Norman.
Shreveport Times 18-Jan-1935, Page 4
Shreveport Times 03-Mar-1935, Page 11
A notice for an upcoming dance, still owned by Mrs. C. N. (Katie) Cheshier
Shreveport Times 28-Nov-1935, Page 9
Listed under unnamed "new management."
Shreveport Times 09-Jul-1936, Page 11
The cafe and dancehall are advertised for sale by a Mrs. M. L. Palmer in 1936.
Shreveport Times 21-Dec-1936, Page 14
1940s
Mrs. Palmer's involvement is not clear though, as a 20-Nov-1941 public notice identifies Mrs. Cheshier as still being the owner.
A fisherman displays his catch in 1942.
Shreveport Times 08-Mar-1942 Page 20
The night club had a shady reputation to some. Here is an example, where a 21 year-old man was fined for disturbing the peace at a high school function held at the dance pavilion..
Shreveport Times 06-Jun-1942, Page 2
In 1946 Willie Hendricks and sister Winnie Deemer publicized the opening of their new night club - in Longview, Texas where they had operated another venue, the Club LaJolla.....
Longview Daily News 27-Aug-1946, Page 3
...and also in Shreveport.
Shreveport Times 27-Aug-1946, Page 10
Mrs. Deemer is pictured in an article about the grand opening of Club La Jolla.
Below, Will Rollins in an advertisement for a scheduled appearance at the popular Palm Isle Club (later Reo Palm Isle) in Longview, Texas.
Longview Sunday News Journal 29-Jun-1947, Section 2 Page 14
An advertisement for the Club LaJolla noted Rollins' band as being 10 pieces, including pianist and vocalist.
Longview Daily News 21-Apr-1946, Section 2 Page 9
Shreveport Times 05-Oct-1946, Page 2
Apparently owner Willie wanted or needed to sell out shortly thereafter, as the property with its impressive list of amenities was placed for sale.
Shreveport Times 24-Nov-1946, Page 30
It remained owned/operated by Willie and Winnie however until sometime after 1950.
Odis "Pop" Echols and his Melody Ranch Boys headed a day-long Fourth-Of-July celebration at Kool Point in 1947. Pop had been an original member of gospel group, the Stamps Quartet. He was an employee of KWKH in the 1940s where he had a radio program, and performed on the Red River Valley Roundup, a Louisiana Hayride predecessor, as well as on the Hayride; of which he was one of the original owners. He later purchased a radio station in Clovis, New Mexico and relocated to there. Of note, he co-wrote the song "Sugartime" (Sugar in the morning, Sugar in the evening, Sugar at suppertime).
Photo, unknown source, circa 1947
Melody Ranch Boy member Jack Ford later performed as a solo artist on the Hayride.
What a hoppin' place Kool Point must have once been! Yet another dance advertisement. A. M. "Pappy" Covington had a radio program on KWKH and was a performer on the very first Louisiana Hayride show, that took place a couple of months later. He was the Hayride's booking agent and instrumental in bringing Elvis Presley to the Hayride, and for getting breaks for later performers including David Houston, Claude King, Nat Stuckey, and others.
Otho Swank, a western swing musician and bandleader from Arkansas played there in 1948.
Shreveport Times 08-Feb-1948, Page 39
More Kool Point trouble.....
Shreveport Times 03-Sep-1948, Page 18
Shreveport Times 09-Oct-1948, Page 12
One of the men charged, Edgar Hardin, and wife Hilda (who went by Pete & Peaches respectively) played in and/or operated several Shreveport-Bossier nightclubs back in the 1950s-1960s including the House Of Blue Lights, Skyway Club, and (aptly named) Pete & Peaches Club. Pete is pictured below in a 1967 ad for their club. Peaches is shown later in life when commenting about a Bossier growth issue to the Times.
Times 02-Jul-1998, Page 2-A
More Trouble: Local resident Dan Gus Owens was sentenced for hitting a deputy who had admonished him to behave.
1950s
In what is likely the high watermark of entertainment featured at Kool Point, a day long event was held 02-Jul-1950, with three shows and a dance later that evening.
Shreveport Times 30-Jun-1950, Page 7
Headliner Paul Howard and his Arkansas Cotton Pickers played on the Grand Ole Opry for several years, where Paul had given starts to the careers of Grady Martin (played guitar on Marty Robbins' "El Paso") and Hank Garland ("Sugarfoot Rag"). He was also the first to use drums at the Opry. He later relocated to Shreveport where his Western Swing style was better accepted. Below he's shown at the Grand Ole Opry.
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| Paul Howard and his Arkansas Cottonpickers |
A recording of his song "Oklahoma City."
Webb Pierce, billed second, was a singer later inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Originally from West Monroe, LA; Webb Pierce moved to Shreveport after being discharged from the army. In 1947, he began appearing on local radio as a duet with his then wife Betty Jane, while working in the men's department at Sears and Roebuck. The couple divorced around the time of this Kool Point performance, as his solo career took off. He appeared on the Louisiana Hayride until moving to Nashville in early 1952. He eventually replaced Hank Williams on the Grand Ole Opry and by the mid-1950s was arguably country music's biggest star. He was known for wearing flashy suits, as were also popular with other artists such Porter Wagoner. Here's a longer bio.
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| Webb Pierce |
Here he sings one of his early hits "In The Jailhouse Now," aided by another country music legend Red Sovine who, according to local guitarist Jack Green, had also played at Kool Point.
George "Sleepy" Jeffers and the Davis Twins (siblings Honey and Sonny) were from West Virginia, but migrated to Shreveport where Sleepy had a radio program. Honey was actually Mrs. Jeffers. Later Sleepy hosted a local television show back in their home state. Here are links to more information on them:
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George "Sleepy" Jeffers
Davis Twins
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| George "Sleepy" Jeffers |
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| Honey and Sonny Davis |
Sleepy and the Davis Twins singing "Pretending Is A Game."
The Blue Sky Boys were Grand Ole Opry and Louisiana Hayride veterans who played a mixture of folk, country, and gospel. Around this time they had a morning radio show in Shreveport. Read more about them here.
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| The Blue Sky Boys |
Here the Boys perform Woody Guthrie's "Greenback Dollar."
Fourth on the bill, though second only (or now comparable) to Webb Pierce in name recognition, is Slim Whitman. According to the memoir of Horace Logan, one of the founders of the Louisiana Hayride, Slim once made an appearance in Vivian, LA (10 miles north of Oil City) that netted 75 cents after expenses. Two years later he would have a million-selling record in "Indian Love Call."
Some may remember playing that song was used to destroy the Martians in the 1990 film "Mars Attacks." Known for his yodeling, being able to hit extremely high notes, he was called "America's Favorite Folk Singer." Actually though, over his career he had greater fame in Europe and particularly the UK.
Read more about Slim here.
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| Slim Whitman |
Slim's beautiful "Rose Marie."
The Tri-State Quartet (pictured below) was a gospel group, and the aforementioned Blue Sky Boys included gospel numbers in their repertoire, so at least the daytime portion was likely more family friendly.
Shreveport Times 27-Aug-1950, Page 31
No recording of the Tri-State group has been found, however it was noted that the quartet won first prize at a singing contest held at Shreveport's Municipal Auditorium.
Silly Willie - All that has been found is that Willie was a comedian shown to have toured around the country with Sleepy Jeffers and the Davis Twins. He may have actually been Sleepy's alter ego as in the 1970s, Sleepy hosted a country music show in West Virginia as "Uncle Willie," with funny hat and blacked out teeth - a typical hick character type included on most country music programs of the day.
In June 1952, Winnie Deemer sold Kool Point (name misspelled and incomplete in article) to Henry and Della Treece.
Shreveport Times 14-Jun-1952, Page 2
This October 1952 advertisement reflected the change of ownership.
Shreveport Times 11-Oct-1952, Page 6
Tommy Trent And His Dixie Mountaineers played a Halloween dance in 1952.
Shreveport Times 31-Oct-1952, Page 34
Tommy and band appeared on the Louisiana Hayride and additionally had a radio program on KWKH.
Shreveport Times 22-Feb-1952, Page 15
Listen to his recording, "Paper Boy Boogie."
Floyd Gentry and band were slated to perform Christmas Eve and News Year's Eve in 1952.
Photo by John Patrick Rich
Shreveport Times 24-Dec-1952, Page 9
Former Oil City resident Darrell McCauley recalls attending a Faron Young performance at Kool Point sometime in the early 1950s. This was likely 1950 or 1951 because Young, already a rising star as teenager, moved to Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry in 1952,
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| Faron Young |
Earl Byrne Blessey, Sr. (1919-1990) was originally from Biloxi, MS; and moved to New York where he played for several well-known bandleaders of the day. He ended up in Shreveport in 1948 as a member of an unnamed radio station's orchestra. While there he had a group that regularly played popular Shreveport/Bossier clubs including Club Coronado and the Skyway Club. Here he performed on 12-Sep-1951.
He later returned to Biloxi, and the pic below is from a 1960 advertisement for WROA, a radio station there, where he was sales manager.
Per two independent sources, the "King of Western Swing" Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys performed at Kool Point on at least one, possibly two occasions. Wills passed through the area five times during the nightclub era (1947-1955), and based on the age of the sources this was likely in 1950, 1951, or 1952. The pic shown is from an advertisement appearing in an Austin newspaper from that general time period.
In June 1952, Winnie Deemer sold Kool Point (name misspelled and incomplete in article) to Henry and Della Treece.
Shreveport Times 11-Oct-1952, Page 6
Tommy Trent And His Dixie Mountaineers played a Halloween dance in 1952.
Shreveport Times 31-Oct-1952, Page 34
Tommy and band appeared on the Louisiana Hayride and additionally had a radio program on KWKH.
Shreveport Times 22-Feb-1952, Page 15
Listen to his recording, "Paper Boy Boogie."
On 20-Dec-1952, saxophonist Bill Rolland and orchestra performed. Though not advertised as such, given the proximity to the holiday, there must surely have been decorations and possibly a tree on display; and a few Christmas songs played. Note "Rowland" was a common misspelling. He was a regular on the nightclub scene in Shreveport/Bossier from the 1930s to 1960s and twice served as president of the musicians union local.
Floyd Gentry and band were slated to perform Christmas Eve and News Year's Eve in 1952.
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| Floyd Gentry |
Shreveport Times 24-Dec-1952, Page 9
Tex Dean and his Carefree Cowboys appeared at Kool Point in Jan-1953. It's not clear who was owner at the time as this was around the time N. J. "Jimmy" King acquired it, but between Jimmy and Winnie some people named Treese owned it. Tex appeared on KWKH about this time and various ads show him performing around the country in Iowa, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Note capacity is billed as seating 300 persons.
Shreveport Times 31-Jan-1953, Page 6
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| Tex Dean |
Here is Tex's recording of Naponee, a song similar in theme and melody to Bob Will's hit, Cherokee Maiden.
In February 1953 KTBS, now a television but then a radio station, announced a weekly live broadcast direct from Kool Point. Performing were Ray Belcher and his Echo Valley Boys. That group had come to Shreveport years earlier with Red Sovine who had by this time moved on to Nashville. Ray (1928-1990) was born in Arkansas and grew up in Shreveport where his day job was being a policeman. He and several other officers later performed as the "Singing Policemen."
Shreveport Journal 20-Feb-1953, Page B-5
Shreveport Journal 20-Feb-1953, Page B-5
Ray appeared on the Louisiana Hayride and additionally had his own radio program on KTBS. Around the time of this scheduled broadcast, the attached picture with caption of Nita Lynn (Parrish) stated she was the featured singer of the group.
The advertisement is from the Shreveport Journal 21-Feb-1953, Page A-7, while the picture of Ray and band are from x 31-Jan-1953, Page 6-B. Nita Lynn's pic is from the Journal 08-Feb-1953, Page 10-A.
By April 1953, Jimmy King was advertised as owner.
Jack "Guitar" Davis was the stage name of Johnnie Clarence "Jack" Pistole (1909-1988). He had been a professional musician since at least the early 1930s, once having a radio programs on KWKH and later KENT, and for a time was a member of Jimmie Davis's band.
He received billing on a "Hillbilly Jamboree" show at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, headed by William "Hopalong Cassidy" Boyd in 1943, and was once described the "cityfied synthetic hillbilly" and performed around the area with his group the Westernaires; and twice hosted radio shows. I can't confirm for certain but it appears he may have played with Jimmie Davis (now verified, per son) in the 1930s. A Jack Davis is listed as playing steel guitar on some of Davis's songs from that time.
Shreveport Journal 10-Nov-1933 Page 17
Times 15-Jan-1944, Page 10
Shreveport Times 17-Jul-1949 Page 10-A
Shreveport Journal 10-Nov-1933 Page 17
Times 15-Jan-1944, Page 10
Shreveport Times 17-Jul-1949 Page 10-A
Later in life, Jack took up banjo and performed at the Shakey's Pizza Parlor near Shreve City. Somewhat eccentric, he wore long hair in a ponytail and had a beard long before Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and the later "Outlaw Country" movement.
Shreveport Times 15-Apr-1953, Page 11-A
Mr. King had earlier owned King's Grill at 623 Milam Street in Shreveport. Here's an advertisement for its grand opening when relocated in 1949 from 701 Milam. Click on the picture to see a larger version,
Shreveport Times 10-Mar-1949, Page 4
Shreveport Times 10-Mar-1949, Page 4
Hobson pictured below from an advertisement for a different venue.
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| Al Hobson |
Playing also were Woodie and the Bayou Boys (sometimes referred to as simply The Bayou Boys), a group that included:
- Woodie Keller
- Ben Bryant
- Jack Green
- Don Holt
- T. J. Semon
Per member Jack Green, they were pretty much the house band at Kool Point during that time.
Below are two of the Bayou Boys - Don Holt (left) and Jack Green (right), from Vivian and Oil City respectively.
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| Don Holt, Jack Green |
Below Don sings "My Baby Still Loves Me" backed by the Ranch Boys, that included Jack on guitar.
During his professional career, Jack, who grew up in the nearby Ferry Lake community, played with several notable artists; including Webb Pierce and Red Sovine. Below Jack (sitting left) is shown performing in Austin, Texas with another member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Floyd Tillman (sitting right).
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| Left to Right: Jack Green, Hub Sutter, Johnny Bush, Tiny Smith, Floyd Tillman (seated) |
According to Jack, the following singers performed at Kool Point:
- Claude King
- Webb Pierce
- Red Sovine
- Bob Wills
- Johnny Horton
- Faron Young
In fact it was after playing there one night that Red Sovine stopped at the nearby American Legion hall to check out a square dance in progress. Jack's father Harvey Green called the dances while Jack was in the band. Sovine offered Jack a job on the spot, and he began his professional career playing with Red on the Louisiana Hayride.
The property was again put up for sale in April 1954.
Shreveport Times 24-Apr-1954, Page 13
Louisiana Conservationist May-June 1954, Page 20
Appearing again at "Cool" Point in January 1955 was Al Hobson, joined by "T Tommy" Cutrer. Al (1924-2003) was an area musician and bandleader who appeared around Shreveport and Bossier at places such as the now long-gone Skyway Club and Club Coronado.
Cutrer (1924-1998) was a DJ for several years at Shreveport radio station KCIJ, where he hosted the weekday program "T Tommy's Corral" from 1951-1956.
T Tommy moved to Nashville and in addition to deejaying and television hosting, eventually became announcer for the Grand Ole Opry. He was also CMA disc jockey of the year in 1957. Also a singer of country and gospel music, and a drum-playing band leader; T Tommy returned to Shreveport to headline the Louisiana Hayride.
Additionally of note, he ran for U. S. Congress in 1976, losing to Al Gore, Jr. (later U. S. Vice President and inventor of the internet). He was elected to the Tennessee state senate in 1978 where he served one term.
In this video from 1961, Tommy introduces singer Ernest Tubb on the Grand Ole Opry television program, and chats briefly after the country music legend sings.
BTW, the "Paul Jones" was a type of mixer dance popular in the early 1900s, where people changed partners at various intervals.
The night club burned on 08-Jun-1955..
Shreveport Times 09-Jun-1955, Page 11-A
Mrs. Katie Cheshier passed in 1956.
Shreveport Times 17-Jul-1956, Page 5-A
The site continued to operate as a marina, serving area fishermen. Shown below is a view from when it was flooded in May 1957
Shreveport Times 02-May-1957, Page 9-A
1960s
Examples of catches taken out of Kool Point. First, an angler shows off his five pound bass.
Shreveport Times 08-Oct-1961, Page 7-D
Fishermen display their hefty stringer of fish..
Shreveport Times 11-Mar-1962, Page 7-D
After nine years, a new Kool Point Lodge and Restaurant opened in 1964.
Shreveport Times 17-Jun-1964, Page 3-D
A huge 63 lb catfish caught out of Kool Point by Emmett and Mattie Sheek, using a trotline..
Shreveport Times 03-Dec-1965, Page 2C
An advertisement for the restaurant's reopening after a major flood that occurred in May 1966.
Shreveport Times 03-Jul-1966, Page 3-D
Four years after opening, the Kings promote their newly remodeled restaurant.
Shreveport Times 19-Jun-1968, Page 6-D
1970s
Former night club owner Mrs. Deemer died on 19-May-1974.
Shreveport Times 21-May-1974, Page 10A
A 1973 featured advertisement included pics of owner Jimmy King and son John.
Shreveport Times 18-Jun-1973, Page 10-A
The building flooded yet again during high water that occurred in Feb-1975.
Shreveport Times 30-Dec-1979, Page 8-E
Featured again in the Times, this time with a photo of John.
Shreveport Times 25-Aug-1975, Page 12-A
Shreveport Times 16-Jan-1978, Page 6-C
An interior view that appeared in a promotional feature in the Times.
Shreveport Times 17-Jan-1978, Page 5-C
Another restaurant interior shot featuring a sunset over the lake in the background.
Shreveport Times 23-Apr-1979, Page 5-A
Kool Point burns, Part Deux - Its days as a dining/entertainment destination were over for good.
Shreveport Times 12-Jun-1979, Page 10A
Another view of the ruins.
Shreveport Times 30-Dec-1979, Page 8-E
1980s and 1990s
Mr. King died in April 1982. His full name was Nimrod James King.
Shreveport Times 06-Apr-1982, Page 13-A
The marina remained open for several years, and hosted various fishing competitions, such as this bass tournament in 1990.
Shreveport Times 14-Oct-1990, Page 5C
2000 to Present
Mrs. King passed away 25-Sep-2000.
Shreveport Times 26-Sep-2000, Page 2B
In subsequent years, there has been little mention of Kool Point in the press, save for the occasional listing as point-of-reference for nearby properties appearing in the public notice section of the newspaper.
Red dirt/Americana singer/songwriter Kevin Gordon mentions Kool Point in his song "Oil City Girl," written in tribute to his grandmother, Willie Mae Craig who moved there from Oklahoma as a child with her family. There are several versions on Youtube but in this one he provides that background before singing. He said he based the song on stories his grandfather told him while fishing on Caddo Lake.
Red dirt/Americana singer/songwriter Kevin Gordon mentions Kool Point in his song "Oil City Girl," written in tribute to his grandmother, Willie Mae Craig who moved there from Oklahoma as a child with her family. There are several versions on Youtube but in this one he provides that background before singing. He said he based the song on stories his grandfather told him while fishing on Caddo Lake.
Today, all that remains to hint at what once was is a faded sign on Ferry Lake Road.....
....and perhaps any matchbook covers some may have kept as souvenirs.
EPILOGUE - Kool Point Green Tomato Relish
Though the restaurant is long gone, you can still experience a taste (literally) of what it was like, though you or someone you know will have to prepare it
For the information of readers from other parts of the country, areas of the south typically have a requisite side dish to go with their fried catfish. In Mississippi, it may be turnip greens or in Georgia, grits. But in North Caddo Parish, Louisiana, it’s green tomato relish.For many years Kool Point Lodge was a popular, if not the most popular area restaurant to get one’s catfish fix. Served alongside would be a bowl of the tangy mixture of pickled green tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Here is the link to a recipe for Kool Point Relish. According to the blogger (Becky ?), her grandparents got the recipe from the restaurant’s owners (I presume the Kings).
Now for a sad ending to this story. Becky noted that her grandfather had been town mayor, so I was going to write to find out who and invite her to join Friends of Oil City, Louisiana, a Facebook page for current and former OC residents and friends to reconnect and reminisce.
However upon studying her blog further, I discovered the last post to be an open letter to her from her husband of many years. Seems she passed away less than a year after posting the recipe due to a long illness.
Do read Becky's blog, as it has more detailed instructions along with pictures; as well as other recipes. It’s nice that though she is gone, she left behind something for others to enjoy. Note I could not find a last name for her or her grandfather. Perhaps someone reading this will have known either or both of them and can advise
To help ensure it is preserved, I'll post the basic recipe here:
Kool Point Relish
1/2 gallon chopped green tomatoes (8 cups)
1 cup chopped hot green peppers
3 cups chopped onions
1 Tbsp plain salt
1 cup vinegar
3/4 pound sugar
Drain juice from vegetables and mix all ingredients. Cook till tomatoes lose colour, but do not boil. Pack immediately into scalded jars and seal. Using a boiling water bath canner, process pints for 10 minutes, 1 1/2 pints for 15 minutes and quarts for 20 minutes. Remove from canner and set on tea towel to seal and cool.
