My travels as a storyteller have taken me far and wide. I’ve been to Paris, Dublin, Italy, Palestine, Turkey, Athens and Rhome. That is the correct spelling for Rhome. They are all in Texas.
I have traveled outside of the Lone Star State. But, amazingly, some of the small towns right here in Texas afford interesting experiences. Turkey, Texas is one of those.
Many years ago, the Turkey-Quitaque ISD invited me to tell stories to all of their students (less than 300 for all of K-12). I jumped at the chance, because I love kids in small towns. They always seem less jaded. Turkey is about 250 miles northwest of Dallas. It’s situated between Amarillo and Lubbock.
The distance from home base meant I would have to stay overnight. I did grimace inwardly when my patrons told me they would put me up at “a nice little place here in town.” I imagined a neon-lit, strip motel with cockroaches carrying my bags inside. I was pretty certain there would be a sign over the sink that said, “Hunters, Do Not Clean The Birds In The Room.” Chances were good that six drunken hunters would be carrying on loudly in the parking lot all night. But, I figured I could stand it for just one night.
What a surprise I got! The Hotel Turkey is, indeed, a “nice little place!” It was built in 1927 to serve the needs of travelers and salesmen on the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad who were passing through on their way to Lubbock or Estelline. The railroad is gone now and probably so are most of the travelers, though I could believe that a few ghosts might linger here to enjoy the charming atmosphere. No one has said anything about ghosts, but I can imagine it, can’t I?
Between 1989 and 1996, it was refurbished and decorated with period antiques. It now operates as a bed & breakfast hotel with 14 rooms “most” having private bathrooms. When I was there, they didn’t have television. It didn’t matter, because I just wanted to sit out on the back patio and gaze up at the stars. They looked like diamonds sparkling in the Heavens. Now the rooms have cable television, and the dining room has wireless internet access.
The rates are reasonable (from $55 to $85 for a room with a Jacuzzi). Heck you can rent the entire hotel for the night for $1200! Bring your friends and have a party.
I know you are wondering why else you would go to Turkey. It’s only 30 miles or so from Hwy 287, and if you are passing through that part of Texas, it would be worth the detour to view a little history and relax in the ambience the hotel affords. If you like peace and quiet, you will find plenty of it there. You can find many hunting and fishing opportunities, if that’s what floats your boat. While you are in the area, you don’t want to miss the Caprock Canyon State Park. It’s a smaller version of Palo Duro Canyon State Park. You can hike or ride horses there.
Turkey itself has the Bob Wills (The King of Western Swing) Museum and it hosts the annual Bob Wills Day Celebration on the last Saturday in April. I can’t vouch for how exciting this small town celebration would be, but you can probably bet that if there are any of Bob Will’s Texas Playboys still living, they will be there.
But, be forewarned. If you want an evening meal, your choices in town are Mexican food, a meal from the Turkey Drive In, a snack from Allsup’s, or a picnic that you import. There isn’t much food to gobble in Turkey.
If you are in the area, drop by Turkey, Texas for a visit. Population: 500. Salute!
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Please allow us to invite you back to Turkey, Texas and experience the “Turkey Drive In” as my husband and I have owned and operated it since March 2006. I am so sorry you have to tell your readers to be “forewarned” as things in Turkey have changed dramatically since your last visit.
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Allow us the honor of treating you to one of the best hamburgers or grilled chicken salads for lunch and then enjoy a fresh cut ribeye or new york strip with all the trimmings for your “evening meal.” We also have purchased the Turkey General Store and are in the process of combining the two downtown to make for quite an experience! We do carry “picnic supplies” so you will not have to “import” a picnic. Please give us another chance to change your “warning” and “gobble” some good food in Turkey, Texas. lol
Whoot! I’m just glad to know that your town has some good food now! This was written back when not many people read a word I have to say, but I’ll do an update in a few days, and tell them you are there (most of them aren’t in Texas, though, so don’t hold your breath waiting for a stampede