Turner Falls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Turner Falls |
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Turner Falls
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| Location | Turner Falls Park, Interstate 35, Davis, Oklahoma, United States |
| Type | Fan |
| Total height | 77 feet |
Turner Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in the Arbuckle Mountains of south-central Oklahoma, United States. It's about 6 miles (9.7 km) south of the town of Davis. The water here flows down Honey Creek.
Turner Falls is 77 feet (23 m) tall. Many people in Oklahoma consider it the tallest waterfall in the state. It's a popular spot for visitors, especially during the summer. The park has natural swimming areas, but it's important to be careful. Only strong swimmers should go into certain parts of the water. Always follow the park's safety rules to have a fun and safe visit.
History of Turner Falls Park
How the Falls Got Their Name
The waterfall is named after Mazeppa Thomas Turner. He was a farmer from Scotland who moved to this area in 1878. He married a Chickasaw woman named Laura Johnson. Mazeppa discovered the falls, and they were named after him.
People have been visiting Turner Falls for fun for a very long time. They started coming to enjoy the area even before 1868! Back then, the falls were in a place called Pickens County, which was part of the Chickasaw Nation.
Turner Falls Park Today
Today, Turner Falls is part of a big city park called Turner Falls Park. The city of Davis, Oklahoma, manages this park. The waterfall flows into a natural swimming pool, and there's another one in the park too. These pools are very popular places to cool off in the summer.
The city of Davis bought the park in 1919. They ran it until 1950. After that, other groups managed the park for a while. But in 1978, the city took back control.
The park is huge, covering about 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) of land. Besides the waterfall and swimming areas, you can explore nature trails and cool caves. There are also interesting rock formations to see.
One special feature in the park is a walk-in castle. It was first built in the 1930s. A professor named Dr. Ellsworth Collings used it as his summer home. He taught at the University of Oklahoma.
