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Turkey, Texas - Home of Bob Wills |
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| Originally called Turkey Roost for
Turkey Creek and the roosting turkeys there, settlers began arriving in
the 1890's. The name was shortened to Turkey
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 town became a shipping point for
cattle, grain and cotton. 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. |
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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.”
His music continues to influence music today. Bob Wills has been elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. |
| 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.
Bob Wills moved to Turkey with his family as a young man, and he never actually attended school in Turkey. |
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An annual event, on the last Sunday in April,
is the
Bob Wills Reunion. The famous musician is recognized with a
monument at the west end of Main Street. Although the town's population is
small, crowds range from ten to fifteen thousand during the festival.
Visitors come from all over the United States and many foreign countries each year to attend this annual event. It features a parade, BBQ lunch, fiddle contest, free outdoor concert and lots of friends to share it with. There are camp spots for motorhomes. |
| Bob Wills Museum This museum honors the man known as the King of Western Swing. Wills was reared on a farm just north of the town and passed his growing up years here. Memorabilia of the Texas Playboys (Bob Wills' band) and of Wills' career and its influence on American music is displayed. One may see fiddles, boots, hats, recordings, photos and hear the music. Open Monday - Tuesday 9a.m. - 11:30 a.m., and 1 -5 p.m. |
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Bob Wills Monument |
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Texas Playboys Concert
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Turkey Texas Scenery
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2007 Church of Western Swing
