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[Paksoy, Hb]

http://www.turkeytexas.com/about_turkey.htm


TURKEY, TEXAS

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The Western Swing Capitol Of the World

Pat Carson, Mayor
Jerry Landry, City Manager


P.O. Box 415     Turkey, TX 79261     (806) 423-1033


Turkey, Texas is located in the southwest corner of Hall County, just below
the edge of the Llano Estacado. Highway 70 and Highway 86 pass through
Turkey, and Turkey is located just 30 miles from Highway 287. Turkey is 100
miles southeast of Amarillo and 100 miles northeast of Lubbock, and
approximately 250 miles northwest of Dallas.. The little settlement was
originally called Turkey Roost because of the wild turkey roosts along
Turkey Creek, but the name was shortened with the establishment of the Post
Office in 1893. Officially incorporated in 1926, Turkey is best known as the
home of Bob Wills, the King of Western Swing. Raised "down between the
rivers" outside the town, Bob Wills was a barber in Turkey in Ham's
Barbershop during the 1920's. In the early 1930's, he formed the Texas
Playboys band and ushered in a new era of country-western music called
Western Swing.

At one time, wild turkeys roosted in the cottonwoods. Panthers, coyotes,
large lobo wolves, and black bear roamed the shinnery in plenty until the
1900's when the increasing number of settlers drove the big game from this
part of the country.

Settlers began moving into the Turkey area in the 1890's. In 1890, W.M.
Cooper gave several acres of his land for a town site which was named
Turkey. The town plat was officially recorded September 20, 1907. The first
post office was in the half dug-out of Alfred P. Hall, who acted as the
town's first postmaster.

There are five churches in Turkey: First Baptist, organized in 1926; Mount
Olive Baptist, organized in 1945; First United Methodist, organized in 1891;
Church of Christ, organized in 1901; and the Catholic Mission, organized in
1977.

The Caprock Canyons State Park is located about 15 miles west of Turkey and
is now home to the remaining original free-roaming bison herd belonging to
Col. Charles Goodnight. 

In 1927, the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad,builta railroad line that ran
from Estelline to Lubbock coming through Turkey.

The present bank in Turkey (Memphis State Bank, formerly Peoples State Bank)
was organized in September of 1943 and opened in October of 1943.

The Turkey School District No. 19T was created in June 13, 1906 and
consolidated with Quitaque in 1973. The present school, Valley School, is
located approximately half way between Turkey and Quitaque.

The Turkey Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1928.

The Turkey Fire Department, a volunteer group, was organized in February of
1928 after two disastrous fires. These two fires destroyed most of the
business district in a short time period.

The Lions Club of Turkey was organized in 1929.

Cotton, watermelons, peanuts, sweet potatoes, and some grains are the major
crops farmed in the area.

The Bob Wills Foundation purchased the Turkey School buildings. The City
Offices, Public Library, Senior Citizens Room, and Bob Wills Museum are
located in the former grade school building.The Foundation has built a Bob
Wills Monument and adjacent to it is the Bob Wills Park. The park includes a
trailer area, camping area, picnic area, and a playground.

Each year on the last Saturday in April, there is a Bob Wills Day
Celebration. The morning begins with a parade then a bar-b-que is held in
the former grade school cafeteria. At night there is a western dance in the
old gym. The auditorium of the former high school, has an old fiddlers
contest. An outdoor concert is held on the old football field of the high
school. There is also an arts and crafts fair. 

The old Gem Theater has been refurbished.

Turkey, Texas is the Western Swing Capitol of the world.

Population (approx.): 
500 

Climate (avg.): 
Days/Summer 90-100   Nights/Summer 65-85

Days/Winter 35-45     Nights/Winter 20-30



For further information, please call:   (806) 423-1033 City Hall