Opened in 1928, the Phillips 66 Service Station in Turkey was the company’s first facility of its kind in Texas. The building, preserved almost entirely intact, is a striking introduction to architectural history. Alongside such historic sites, music history and trail routes appeal to different travel interests.
Architectural and Music History
Memphis, the county seat of Hall County, is at the intersection of U.S. Highway 287, State Highway 256, and Farm to Market Road 1547. The present-day Hall County Courthouse is designed in the Classical Revival style; it followed two earlier courthouses. The First Presbyterian Church of Memphis offers a different architectural accent: its second church building was completed in 1911 and features Neo-Classical Revival details, round-arched windows, and a domed roof.
In Turkey, a tall monument within the city limits commemorates former musician Bob Wills, widely known as “The King of Western Swing.” After his family moved to Hall County, Wills grew up north of Turkey. The Bob Wills Museum preserves instruments, stage clothing, photographs, recordings, personal mementos, and other artifacts relating to his career and the history of Western Swing. The collection thus spans everything from personal belongings to a musical tradition.
Other places also preserve different chapters of local history. Hotel Turkey is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; Dreamland Cemetery, also called Turkey Cemetery, is designated a Historic Texas Cemetery. The First Methodist Church of Turkey dates back to September 8, 1891, when it was organized as Elizabeth Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Lacy Dry Goods served the Turkey community for more than 100 years and was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 2024. The store specialized in textiles and clothing, including fabric, thread, wool, and sewing patterns. Turkey High School was designed by Amarillo architect E. F. Rittenberry as a brick building with English Gothic details; its former building has been preserved as a center for community offices and events.
The events calendar also has a long historical connection: Bob Wills Day has been held on the last Saturday in April since 1971. In 2020, the celebration was moved to October 10; in 2021, it was canceled. Check the dates for your preferred year before your trip.
Trail Sections and Getting Around
The trail sections listed here differ in endpoints and length. The Kent Creek Trail runs 10 miles from Quitaque East to the Turkey Depot; the Oxbow Trail, also 10 miles long, runs from the Turkey Depot to Tampico Siding. The Grundy Canyon Trail stretches 12 miles from Tampico Siding to Parnell Station. The Plains Junction Trail runs 10 miles from Parnell Station to Estelline. At 12 miles, the Grundy Canyon Trail is the longest of these four sections; the other three are each 10 miles long. This comparison can help you choose based on distance, but it does not indicate walking time or difficulty.
The Kent Creek Trail is open to hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders, and offers opportunities for birdwatching. Species mentioned include scissor-tailed flycatchers, other flycatchers, Painted Buntings, Indigo Buntings, and seed-eating birds; turkeys can be spotted on the trestle bridges. For road directions, Texas State Highway 86 runs through Turkey, where it forms Main Street. It leads 30 miles east to Estelline and 53 miles west to Tulia.
When looking for a vacation rental, it’s best to first decide which places and trail sections you plan to visit. Then check how the location of your accommodation fits your own travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Turkey, McLennan, Bexar County, Fort Bend, Howard, Tarrant, Dickens County, Wichita
For the broader travel overview: Texas.
