Nursery To Close After Years Of Business

A name familiar to local gardeners will soon be a thing of the past. Dr. Cecil Wells was a successful veterinarian when he opened Juniper Hill farm. Now, after almost 50 years, the business is closing. News On 6's Rick Wells paid the good doctor a visit.

Juniper Hill's days are numbered. They will remain open for about three more weeks. The nursery sits on 24 acres of prime land in Bixby. Developers have bought it and plan to build houses.

Juniper Hill is located in Bixby on 121st east of Mingo.

"This kind of business is like a dairy. You've gotta be here 7 days a week. This stuff has to be watered nearly every day in the summer," said Dr. Cecil Wells with Juniper Hill Farm.

Dr. Cecil Wells figures at 81, it's time to move on to something new.

"I've had a good time. It's not like it used to be," said Wells.

Wells says the big box stores have made the business a little more difficult. He bought the farm 59 years ago from Oral Roberts. It was 160 acres. He had horses and cattle.

Then, Wells' hobby grew into a successful nursery business.

Juniper Hill will have an auction in July to sell the equipment. Equipment such as heaters, exhaust fans and tractors will be sold. Wells hopes to find a home for a lot of plants, too.

"Got lots of stuff yet to sell," said Wells.

Wells told The News On 6 he's had a bass boat for 15 years and has used it maybe three times. Soon, he'll have some time to try fishing.