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Eighteen years ago when Doug Witworth decided to create a waterfall outside his store in Vinita, Oklahoma, to promote his water gardening category, he didn’t think he was creating a roadside attraction.
“We just thought it would be fun to do. It started out as more of a display,” he says. “Now it’s a town landmark.”
There was a rock bluff next to the lot where he built the new Ace Town & Country store. In a stroke of inspiration, he rearranged a few of the rocks, added a fountain pump to create a waterfall over the bluff and dug out a small pond at the base.
Before long, it became a favorite spot for taking photos. On prom night, the parking lot is full of cars with couples getting their photos taken in front of the waterfall. It’s also not unusual to see a wedding party or family using it as a photo backdrop.
The store sits just off Route 66, so in addition to locals, the waterfall attracts visitors looking for unusual sights along that road. Whatever their reason for stopping, Witworth hopes the waterfall puts a smile on their face and sets a calm and relaxing mood when they visit his business.
