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Date: January 09, 2006 10:56PM

This is Turner Falls fed by Honey Creek, one of the most beautiful sights in Central Oklahoma. Water, rich in calcium carbonate flows over the Falls and forms the mineral, travertine. Usually the water in a waterfall wears the rock away, but not so here. The water actually deposits Travertine on the falls and builds the rock out in the honeycomb formations we see here. This is a very unique occurrence. There are only a few places in the world we can find travertine. There are similar falls in the Grand Canyon, and the city of Rome, Italy, is built on travertine. This is another wonderful example of nature at work in the Arbuckle Mountains. "Tombstone" formations document uplifts from prehistoric times. Such geologic evidence of the earth's development is present at only two other sites in the U.S. : the Grand Canyon and South Dakota's Black Hills. Murray State College in Tishomingo conducts geologist-led tours. The largest waterfall in Oklahoma, Turner Falls emanates from the many springs in the Arbuckle Mountains forming Honey Creek. It then cascades tumultuously down a seventy-seven foot fall to a shimmering pool at a rate of 5.5 million gallons per day.

On entering the park, you are first impressed with the breath-taking view of the spring-fed stream running around native cut- stone buildings. Those buildings were built by a friend of famous American artist, Charles Russell, Dr. Ellsworth Collings, professor and author. Dr. Collings also endowed Turner Falls Park with another curiosity known at the "Castle." The "Castle" was originally built as a summer guest house and ranch house for the family of Dr. Collings resembling English architecture and poised high above the water's edge.

Turner Falls is the anchor to over 6200 acres of recreational pursuits. Visitors to Turner Falls Park can enjoy a variety of amenities including RV hook-ups, limited cabin rental, primitive camping, swimming, hiking, spelunking, birding, and of course, shopping in the vintage village and gift shop.

The holiday season is a particularly alluring time for visitors as the "Winter Fantasyland" illuminates the Park. Fiery colors of light dance on the undulating waters creating one of the most fascinating holiday light displays.

Located just off I-35, Exit 51, on state highway 77 in south-central Oklahoma, Turner Falls Park can easily be accessed after a short scenic drive less than 5 miles beyond the interstate.

580-369-2988

MAZZEPPA TURNER - (1840-1920)

The man for whom Turner Falls was named was of Scotch heritage; his wife, Laura J. Johnson, a Chickasaw Indian. They were married in Shelby County, Tennessee in 1860.

Mazeppa Turner served in the Civil War under General Nathan Bedford Forrest. He fought in the battles of Shiloh and Chickamauga being wounded twice.

Mr. Turner was born May 8, 1840 in DeSoto County Mississippi and died August 29, 1920, in Murray County, Oklahoma. Mrs. Turner was born August 6, 1840, and died December 13, 1890. They are buried, along with many relatives and descendants, in the Dougherty Cemetery.

The Turners lived in the log cabin located north of the falls on the creek beside the later 77 highway for only three years. Their livelihood depended upon farming and the gleaning of honey from the many bee trees along Honey Creek. Mazeppa and his adopted Indian son, Tom Hayes, explored the caves around the falls.

The Turner Family moved to Davis in 1900. Mazeppa Turner was the first representative of Murray County and made the first speech in the State House of Representatives. He helped to draft the State Constitution and was instrumental in getting the Oklahoma School for the Deaf built in Sulphur.

Mazeppa Thomas Tuner was a well-educated man and a devout Christian. He reasoned: "No man is nearer God than the man who can see God in a dew-drop."