Turkey, TX
Music connected to Turkey
About Turkey
- • Bob Wills, the "King of Western Swing," was born near Turkey, Texas.
- • The unique "Turkey Scratch" guitar style is traced back to musicians in Turkey.
- • The Fort Worth and Denver Railway established Turkey as a shipping point in 1893.
- • Local legend says a stagecoach carrying gold disappeared near Turkey, never recovered.
- • The Dust Bowl devastated Turkey in the 1930s, impacting farming and ranching.
- • Wild turkeys gave the town its name; it was established in 1893, incorporated in 1927.
- • With around 300 residents, it's smaller than many high school graduating classes.
- • At 2,369 feet, the air is crisp and the views stretch across the plains.
- • Agriculture and ranching remain vital to the economy, supporting local families.
- • A quiet, nostalgic feeling washes over you, like stepping back in time.
- • The Dallas Mavericks, over 200 miles away, won the NBA championship in 2011.
- • Turkey Valley Patriots football team won multiple state championships in the 80's.
- • The area's redbed plains are part of the Permian geologic period.
- • Caprock Canyon State Park, featuring the Clarity Tunnel bat flight, is located nearby.
- • The town is located within the Pease River watershed.
- • The area is home to the Texas horned lizard, a threatened species.
- • Mesquite trees and native grasses dominate the local flora.
- • Bob Wills, the "King of Western Swing", was born near Turkey on March 6, 1905.
- • The Bob Wills Museum commemorates the musician's life and legacy.
- • State Highway 70 passes through Turkey, connecting it to other towns in the region.