Wild turkeys discovered along a small creek gave it the name of Turkey Creek, and the settlement that grew up there was known as Turkey Roost. But the Post Office shortened it to Turkey. Several businesses and a $50,000 hotel were built with the coming of the railroad.
Turkey was a shipping point for cattle, grain, and cotton. An annual event, on the last Saturday in April, is the Bob Wills Reunion. The musician is recognized with a monument at the west end of Main St. Although Turkey's population is small, crowds range from 10-15,000 during the festival.