TURKEY, TEXAS

“Western Swing Capitol of the World”

Hall County, Texas Panhandle

34°23'39"N 100°53'41"W (34.394248, -100.894736)
SW of Memphis the county seat
27 Miles E of Silverton
28 Miles N of Matador
75 Miles W of Quanah
82 Miles NE of Plainview
100 miles NE of Lubbock
100 miles SE of Amarillo
Population: 396 est. (2016)
421 (2010) 494 (2000) 507 (1990)

Turkey, Texas Area Hotels
Amarillo Hotels | Lubbock Hotels

Turkey Texas - Home of Bob Wills
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009

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 formed 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.

Turkey, Texas Attractions / Landmarks

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009

Bob Wills Monument
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009
More Texas Statues and Monuments

Phillips Station in Turkey
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009

Phillips Station in Turkey
Photo courtesy John McDill, March 2014
More Texas Gas Stations

Turkey TX - Bob Wills Texas Playboys Bus

Bob Wills Texas Playboys Bus right next to the Phillips Station
Photo courtesy John McDill, March 2014

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009

Turkey Hotel
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009

Cotton Gin
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009
See Texas Cotton & Cotton Gins

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009

"$110,000 High School Bldg., Turkey, Texas"
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com
More Texas Schoolhouses

Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009
More Texas Water Towers

Turkey City Limit
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009

Turkey Texas - cowboy with horse metal sign

Hurry Back
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009

Of Architectural Interest

The Gem Theater downtown
City Hall: (806) 423-1033

Turkey Area Natural Attractions

The Caprock Canyons State Park
15 miles West of Turkey

Take a road trip

Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and vintage/historic photos, please contact us.