1917-1925: Watermelons in Hope, Arkansas began to increase in size after Mr. Gibson at the Gibson Drug Store began a contest for large vegetables in 1917. Hugh (left) and Edgar Laseter used mail order Triumph seeds to win the watermelon category in the Gibson contests. They took 1st place in all 8 contests. Edgar won 7 of the 8 contests. Prior to the Gibson contests, a 60-pound watermelon in Hope was considered to be large. Photo courtesy of Hoyt Laseter