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History
in a Pecan Shell
Originally called Turkey Roost for
Turkey Creek and the roosting turkeys there, settlers began arriving in the 1890's.
The name was shortened when the post office (the dug-out of Alfred P. Hall, postmaster)
was granted in 1893.
The town plat was recorded in 1907 and in 1927, the
Fort Worth and Denver Railroad arrived. The Turkey Volunteer Fire Department was
organized in February of 1928 after two disastrous fires destroyed most of downtown
Turkey. Major crops are cotton, watermelons,
peanuts, and sweet potatoes.
Turkey is best known
as the home of Bob
Wills, the King of Western Swing. Wills was a barber in Turkey during
the 1920's. In his biography “Hubbin’ It”, Wills said that the lotions and soft-work
of barbering kept his fingers pliable for playing the fiddle. It was a trade that
many musicians shared, since the day work of barbering never interfered with dances
and holiday celebrations. Wills form the Texas Playboys band and their music introduced
a new offshoot of county-western music known as “Western Swing.”
The former Turkey school buildings were purchased by The Bob Wills Foundation
and city offices, the library, a senior citizens room, and the Bob Wills Museum
are located in the former grade school building. The Foundation has built a Bob
Wills monument and Bob Wills Park. |
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"$110,000
High School Bldg., Turkey, Texas"
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com
More
Texas
Schoolhouses |
Of
Architectural Interest
The
Gem Theater downtown |
|
Bob Wills Audio CD |
Take
Me Back to Tulsa [BOX SET]
Bob Wills &
Texas Playboys |
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Anthology
1935-1973
Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys | |
The
King of Western Swing
Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys | |
The
Essential
Bob Wills &
His Texas Playboys | | |
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