A Trip to Turkey, Texas and Caprock Canyons State Park
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- Опубликовано: 23 апр 2024
- The town of Turkey sits on the edge of the Llano Estacado in the Texas Panhandle, where the expansive Texas plains end and the Caprock Canyons begin. This small town dates back to the 1890s, and was the home of the King of Western Swing Bob Wills and the site of the first Phillips 66 station in Texas.
Walking around Turkey is like stepping back into the 1920s, with most of the town's most prominent buildings dating to around 1928, including the Hotel Turkey, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Turkey features a monument to Bob Wills and a museum, but there are nods to him throughout the town. You can't walk 50 feet without seeing a reference to him. The town even hosts a Bob Wills Day on the last Saturday in April.
The Phillips 66 station opened in July 1928, making it the first one in Texas. The station, while no longer open, has been restored to what it would have looked like in its prime.
After leaving Turkey, we made a quick visit to Caprock Canyons State Park in search of bison and to see where the West Texas Plains end. Along the way we ran into prairie dogs and some amazing views.
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"Back then buildings, even something as simple as a gas station, had character. And that's severely lacking today." So true!
God's Truth, right here!
“….It don’t matter whose in Austin , Bob Wills is still the king….” . -Awesome video , once again. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Yes sir! That was a Waylon Jennings song! He was my dad's favorite!
Bob wills bus pictured here is on display in Burnet if I remember correctly
Very cool.
Parts of Texas are so flat you can watch a dog run away for three days…
Thanks for sharing!
❤😂😊
I grew up on the Llano Estacado (The Staked Plains) of the Texas panhandle. We moved back home to East Tennessee where we are from when I was 16 and I miss those huge skies and giant vistas so badly now.
@@harlandeke Same! I'm from Turkey, as were both of my parents, and my grandparents and great grandparents on both sides of the family. I moved to Knoxville, Tn in 1988 when I was 16. I absolutely LOVE it out here, but I also miss those HUGE Texas stars, the great hunting, and just plain "home" feeling. I miss all of my relatives still living in the area as well. Shoutout to Fuston and Sons Farms from Turkey.
@@mikefuston2003 small world...we moved to Knoxville in 85...lol.
How fun you did a documentary on Turkey Texas. My dad and grandma were both born in Turkey TX. My great grandparents moved there in the late 1800’s, they were one of the first settlers and both great grandparents are buried there. Thank you for doing this. My dad has passed, but it was fun seeing the Main streeet.
Wow, small world. Turkey seemed like such a nice, quiet, small town.
It's small towns like Turkey and it's people that are the backbone of this great country,
calling you a Turkey would not be an insult:)
Cheers,
Rik Spector
One has 2, 4 and 8 parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.
I’m not sure where you were going with this comment.
@@shannahlawson8305 "Both" leaves out six great grandparents.
Back in 1997, I camped in Caprock Canyon. As I set up my tent, I was surrounded by a circle of turkeys. So they are definitely prevalent there. Thanks for all the great videos.
I love your style and dry humor. You capture the small history that built this big country
I totally agree with you,Steve is one of my favorites
There are a few very significant dates in this town. 1) the news paper called the Turkey Gobbler opened the year my Dad was Born. The Midway Drive In started operating 1955 the year I was Born. And the High School Closed the Year I Graduated 1973. Very Interesting
My dad was raised in Esteline, Texas. Not too far East from Turkey. He said it was a big deal to travel to Turkey on a Saturday. His dad would get drunk, his mom would shop, and he and his brothers would go to that theatre and watch westerns all day. Some silent a few were talkies. My grandfather would drive to Turkey and my grandmother would drive back to Esteline because George was too drunk. My dad said that during the winter, the only thing slowing the arctic wind from Canada was a barbed wire fence...and it was blown down half of the time. It does get cold out on the flat lands of Texas.
My father grew up in Matador, TX and also told me about how great it was to go Turkey and watch the movies as my grandparents shopped etc. Turkey and Quitaque formed a joint school in '73, called Valley and it was a big deal because they were able to play 11 man football for a while. I remember the drive in as a kid, we lived in Silverton.
Why not Childress since it's a larger town and half the distance? BTW, I was stationed at Cannon AFB, Clovis, NM for over nine years beginning in the early 1990s. Wichita Falls, TX is my hometown, and the shortest route from my folk's home to Clovis, NM was traveling West on US 287 until reaching Estelline proceeding to the Southwest on TX SH 86 and finally, switching to US 60/84 at TX/NM border. I traveled that route at least 50 times or more while I was stationed in Clovis, NM. The Turkey Allsup's store was a frequent midway, pit-stop during those travels.
Ooh, you're in my backyard now! And as a Fort Worth native & son of 2 of them, 1 of those being a music teacher, I've heard my share of Bob Wills, especially in my childhood. And as a Boy Scout years ago, we visited & camped near Caprock several times; we saw plenty of prairie dogs back then, but it seems you had better luck than we ever did with the bison. Nice!
Steve, too bad you missed the Bob Wills museum it's definitely worth the time. When visiting Turkey in the early 2000s we stopped at the museum just as the lone lady running it was going to lunch and she said to just go inside and have a look-see, just be sure to close the door when we leave as she'll be gone for about an hour. NOW THAT'S TRUST as most of the items such as his fiddles, clothes, cigars and everything Bob Wills was out in the open and not in glass cases.
I'm too young to have seen Bob Wills, but I'm a big fan of his music. I have probably every 78 rpm record of his music and a large Victrola to play them on as they sound more authentic that way.
I didn't know Bob Wills worked at a Barber Shop before he got his start Thanks.
I knew one of the Texas Playboys. He died a long time ago. I had never heard of them until I met this man. It was a little before my time.
hey steve..englishman kevin here...got to say i love your brilliantly paced videos...ps ive noticed what americans call small towns we call villages...our villages and your small towns are unique in their own beauty. i find the history and the scenery of your mid west and south west so fascinating..albeit not keen on rattle snakes..as an englishman..other than that id love to stroll along those terrains...keep up the good vids mate
You are a great story teller
Thanks!
My dad was a native Texan, born in Ft. Stockton. He lived in several different parts of west Texas and eastern New Mexico. The one constant through his life was his love of Bob Wills’ music.
San Antonio Rose was his favorite song. Before he shipped out to Europe in WWII, he would play that song over and over.
George Strait was greatly influenced by Bob Wills. George has done several great songs of his own following Western swing.
im from stockton(on tees) north east england..birthplace of the railway...(railroads in america) lived on south coast of england 30 years now mind...fort stockton must have been named for a reason..our stockton is 1500 year old though...however although your history is relatively new...its still fascinating..from the pioneers to the (american) civil war...
@@godwinsonofwessexWouldn't know about any of that, but it was Englishmen who had XIT Ranch, not too far north of Turkey. Great history, if you've not read it! The X in XIT is Roman numeral 10, because the ranch was composed of 10 counties in Texas! 🐄🥩🤠
It's amazing seeing all the singers influenced by him, everyone from Chuck Berry to Louie Armstrong.
And the XIT was also named that because it was a brand that couldn’t be altered by cattle rustlers.
People look up to your videos, do not stop uploading. You’re awesome Steve
I spent a night in Turkey, TX last year, on my way to Caprock Canyons State Park. In the Hotel Turkey, of course. Loved the unique experience, highly recommended. Too bad all the Western Texas settlements seem to be slowly dying out. Regards from Germany.
My favorite punch line.->"As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." WKRP in Cincinnati, the Big Guy. Thanksgiving special.
haha That has to be the one episode everyone remembers from that show.
Bob Wills also played a part in the creation Bakersfield Sound a sub genre of country music.
Hey Steve, another great adventure 👍🏼thank you for taking us along . What a cool town and park ….I grew up on rock n roll but turned to western and folk in my late teens. And Bob Wills was right there😎 take care
Glad you enjoyed it
Thank you for this video, very interested in Turkey being Bob Wills home town. One of my favorite singers for early country music👍👍
Could Turkey, Texas use another resident?
Nobody gets enough of Bob Wills!!!
the amount of history you can find to share in your videos is amazing.
thank you
3:58 Steve, if you have any memory at all of hearing Bob Wills as a kid, it would probably be his signature "Ahh Haaa" sung in a high pitched falsetto which he would interject here and there in a song.
I listened to a few songs after I visited. He sounded familiar for sure.
I own a record store and in the 80's someone returned a Bob Wills record, complaining that the record was ruined by someone saying, "Ahhhh" and "Yeah!" out of place. every now and then.
One of my favorite Bob Wills records (I'm a longtime fan) is a later recording of New San Antonio Rose where, in the middle of the song, he says, "A bunch of smart alecks playing those fiddles. But I love 'em!"
Steve, your videos bring back family vacation memories when I was young . Thank you.
Glad you like them!
Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys are among our favorites and we have a large collection of their body of work. Big Buff and prairie pups. What a swell trip.
I live 13 miles south of Turkey at Flomot. My family's been here since 1921. Met Bob Wills at the 1st Bob Wills day back in 73.
As a native Texan from a rural area Bob Wills is Texas Legend many groups have re-recorded many of his songs including George Strait and even The Rolling Stones.
Plus Merle Haggard and, of course, Asleep at the Wheel!
Thank you! This video was great for relaxing and drinking a cup of coffee ☕ with perfect Spring-like weather here in North Texas. Your videos are interesting, not filled with fluff. 👍
I went to Bob Wills weekend for three years in the 80s - so much fun! Dances at the old high school, parade, and of course, booths with food and more. Be ready to camp out if you are going to this upcoming weekend. You didn't mention (or maybe I missed it) the fantastic outdoor theater and play of Texas at Canyon...it too, is really fun! Grew up in these parts and graduated from Spade TX. I am a 5th generation Texan on both sides and currently live in Azle, TX. Don't miss west Texas at all! As I much prefer water and trees to blowing sand any day.
A fun tour . . . canyon scenery is beautiful, and the bison's were cool to see! Thanks Steve!
Steve, when were you here in Turkey? I'm here now for Bob Wills Day music fest. Always wanted to meet you!
I was there about two weeks ago.
Wow Steve, we seem to be kindred souls! You have an adventure channel, I have an adventure channel, I have been traveling around the Southwest all Winter as have you. We both went and explored Carrizo George, and the same numous other places in California, Arizona, Rt66, etc. within weeks of each other! The difference is you have an awesome successful YT channel, and mine, not so much! LOL
👍 👍 Oh boy, time for my weekly 'Sidetrack Adventure'! Ahhhhh! 👍 👍
Bison! Woot, WOOT! .... and Bob Willis day is this weekend ... seems like a good excuse for a road trip. Thanks for another great episode!
Steve does some detailed videos on obscure places, many of which I’ve passed by in the semi saying, “We’ll have to stop here someday.”
Someday never seems to come, so I’m glad Steve is making these videos.
Waylon Jennings said it best, “Bob Wills is still the King”. Another Fun video!!
Thank you for this! Some of my favorite memories of my dad are of hikes in those canyons. My mom would pack us a picnic lunch and we would walk on the trails excited to see the lizards and chaparrals crossing our dusty path as the intense West Texas sun beat down upon us. An occasional breeze would temporarily offer relief from the heat; I can hear the wonderful rustling sound of the cottonwood trees now in my head. Wonderful memories!
Good job. Bob Wills is one of my favorite musicians. He was very famous in his day and still has a revered reputation. Western Swing. Give it a listen.
I'm glad you visited Turkey. I'm a Texan, and I'm right proud of Bob Wills. 🤠
2:41 My hometown is Cisco, about 45 miles east of Abilene, and we have brick streets too (and the first hotel Conrad Hilton ever owned, too 🙂).
5:19 Woah, there's an actual phone booth in front of the hotel! I wonder if it still works.
I know that scientifically they're bison, but I'm a country boy and to me they'll always be buffalo.
Great video Steve, looked like a perfect day to be in Texas, no wind ,sunny skies, nice temperature. Love these middle of nowhere places, seems like there's always "something " there!!😂
Wow that certainly was a beautiful place, i do know Bob will's and his music, but did not know about his birth place, again thanks for taking us along
Steve, when I went through basic training in the Air Force at Amarillo AFB, in 1967, they told us that if we went AWOL we could still be seen three days later. That's how flat it is. There is a town called Plainview, supposedly named because when a boy and girl gried to elope, three days later, they were still in plain view. That's a story I heard.
That's pretty funny, but maybe not that far from the truth with how flat it is.
My Uncle taught school in Manhattan Kansas where he was a world famous botanist and a expert on prairie grasses. On his project the soil had never been tilled and they had a large herd of bison to replicate the way it was. I really miss my Aunt and Uncle. Go Wildcats!!!
Steve you are the best.
Hi Steve . As a trucker '72-'97 , been all over tx. Stopped and slept in Earth tx. in '79 which only had a gas station and tastee freeze . The little movie theater had 2 John Wayne movies on the marquis , adult ticket .75 cents . I just got on goog maps street view and the marquis is exactly the same . Also been to Luckenbach , just because I was curious after hearing Waylon Jennings' song . 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I’m an old guy. I grew up on the Texas Plains. It’s a bleak place. But there are some real treasures out there. Lots of wide open spaces and really great people.if you stay in that canyon and head south you’ll wind up in Palo Duro State Park south of Amarillo. And if you keep fallowing the canyon you end up in Lubbock. Yellow House Canyon.
Oh darn! I wanted to see the turkey statute in front of the fire station from the back. Got front and side, no backside. No, I'm not going there just to see for myself. Oh boy, the talkies have come to Turkey Town! That's nice for Saturday nights. Haven't seen a Phillips 66 gas station for ages. I wonder what the attendant had for lunch in his lunch box. My dad used to have a metal lunch box like that, and my mother packed it full of sandwiches, fruit, and a thermos of hot coffee. Haven't seen one like that in a long, long time. I noticed the character of the gas station building right away. Has a somewhat alpine look to it. A turkey roost building with a buffalo statute in front, wow! someone has their wires crossed. Isn't the last Saturday in April next Saturday? Ok, so missed the festival by a week. Too bad. Maybe next year? The flat plains are great. A bit of green this spring, nice. Surprising you were able to get that close to a prairie dog because they're usually pretty skittish and dive into their burrows. Buffalo v. bison? "Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam, and the skies are not cloudy all day." Try that with bison. Great video. Thank you.
One of my favorite towns. Home of Bob Wills.
I can imagine Turkey as a town where it says “ Welcome “ on both sides of the sign by the road as it’s so small…… don’t blink or you’ll “ Miss it “ as they say. Nice find Steve , and as always Thanks for posting this one . Really enjoy your presentations. 😎👍
So many interesting sites in this video, loved the scenery from the bottom of the canyon. Thanks, Steve, for taking us on this adventure. Interesting to see where Bob Wills was from.
Yup, more trees on the inside of this building than on the outside - cuz they're protected from the wind! 😄
Speaking as a Texan, I love this video! There are so many hidden gems here. And good on you for bringing your wife on this cool extended road trip.
7:16 That Histerical marker is a classic, always makes me smile when I come across one.
Great video Steve. I enjoyed visiting Turkey Texas with you.
Thanks Steve! Your videos are simply awesome, and I could listen to your narration for hours. Keep up the great work………
What a great park even better because it's pretty deserted.
I am from Texas. Not to brag but, our state is massive. There are many many things to see. The Big Bend, Pecos, The Piney Woods,
The Hill Country and the Gulf Coast to name a few. Hope you can see more, Love your videos. They are very " Calming and Relaxing!
Lone Star Beer. I remember during my basic training days at Lackland AFB, Amarillo, Texas.
The commercial in the middle of your video was for "wild turkey whiskey "😂 another great video you made, Thank you
That's pretty funny. Surprised RUclips does Whiskey ads.
If you really want to see Bison, there is a Bison farm in Eatonville, WA. You can see them as you are driving on Hwy 161 towards Mt Rainier, also on your way up on Hwy 161, there is Northwest Trek which also has Bison and a whole lot of other NW animals.
I'll have to check it out next time I'm in that area.
What a cool little town and awesome scenery at the canyon....thank you Steve! I really enjoy your posts every week!
I REALLY HOPE your journey this far from home does not end before you fnd the deepest of the canyons, Palo Duro. 7 miles outside the city of Canyon (17 miles S. of Amarillo), the canyon is spectacular at any time. We took many class trips up there from Friona. Imagine a bunch of 8th grade boys doing their best to get every girl wet in the creek.... It was either the Canyon or the zoo and roller rink in Clovis! Only two choices. The outdoor amphitheater hosts "TEXAS," a fun play that will wow you with plenty of singing and dancing and our special telling of the story of Texas. A few grains of salt would come in handy.......
So tomorrow starts the 50th year of Bob Wills Day... oh, it's going to be a shindig!
Another info packed, enjoyable video. When you focused on the prairie dogs I screamed "The scourge of horse riders!" just before your bison stepping in holes comment. Herd animals frequently do break legs in them but with no one in the middle of nowhere to rescue them, they simply die and become food for carnivores!
Sidetrack, If you go through Clovis N.M. for some reason, there is a small Rock& Roll museum there. It isn't much. Buddy Holly recorded his first famous songs in Clovis at the Norm Petty recording studio. It is still there, last I heard.
I'll have to look into that. My wife is much more into music than me, so I'm sure she'd enjoy it.
Thanks!
Thank you, I truly appreciate it.
I just discovered your channel a couple of weeks ago and I am totally hooked on your style and content! Your narration is about as perfect as it can be, and I like the very soft background music. This was yet another enchanting view of a place that I will likely never visit in person, but thanks to you, a vicarious experience is the next best thing.
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Again thanks again for another great video. Thanks for taking us with you.
as usual u dont miss even a minor detail of anything wherever u go .
that makes it more intresting .
thanks for being there for our feed of soul ❤
Thanks for sharing your visit.
I had to smile while watching this segment because my lab mix dog was peacefully laying close to me but perked up immediately when he heard the prairie dog sounding off. I guess if I’m ever out that way with him, I’d better have him on a short leash.
I bet they'd go crazy chirping if they saw him.
There is an entire herd of bison just about 100 miles east of where you started out. At the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge outside Lawton, Ok.
Drove through a couple of days ago and must have seen 50 at least, just munching on grass by the road. Also saw a herd of elk and a bunch of longhorns.
They all get out in the spring to eat the new grass and have baby bison!
I think they are a part of the original Caprock Canyon herd. Rescued by Goodnight of JA Ranch fame
Bob Wills Day is coming up soon. April 27th. This Saturday.
Loved the video!
I’ve been camping in Caprock twice in the small RV section they have there. Always see bison!
Caprock is an amazing place! Turkey is also a really neat place, really enjoyed visiting both!
Another heartfelt trip with Steve, always enjoyable and informative. Just a suggestion, do a video on where you were born, places in your young life, schools, folks, whatever. I honestly think most of your viewers consider you a neighbor, friend, someone to trust. Thanks from all those that look forward to your videos.
Thank you. I appreciate it. I think I go to some interesting places but don't think I'm that interesting, but I'll definitely consider it.
"Out in the west Texas town of El Turkey . . ." Wow -- A town in Texas which is smaller than Gila Bend, AZ. Is Ripley still collecting facts? Mr. Adventures, you have a wonderful gift to delight us all. Thanks!
Great video. The little town is sweet. It looks like a nice place to live. You know, not too many people and adjacent to a very nice park. I know you’ve been to the Grand Canyon. When you drive to it everything is flat as a pancake then all of a sudden there’s an unbelievably enormous deep crevice. I wouldn’t have guessed that canyon was there if you hadn’t filmed it. Thanks Steve. This is a keeper. 👍☮️🌞🌵⛰️🗺️
Mom and Dad raised me on Bob Wills music while I rode in the back of their 1974 Impala near Fort Worth. "When you cross that old Red River, hoss, Bob Wills is still the king." He put the Western in country/western music.
Yup. Bison in Caprock Canyons State Park. Last time we camped there they came through the campground and pretty much had us confined to the trailer half the time. The herd definitely needs to be thinned. But, great photo op. Take care.
Absolutely Beautiful! I'll be researching what formed Caprock Canyon. You are in my home state, Texas is SO diverse, and you are in one of my favorite landscapes!
What a great short documentary. I am from the panhandle and learned a lot from your story. Great 👍🏽
A lot of history for a small town. Thanks for sharing with us
1931 must have shown Dracula one of the first talkies.
I like the name Turkey Roost! A nice little town, devoted to their most famous native son. Always appreciate your pace and delivery on these adventures. Most of the bison seemed young and pretty mellow. I wonder if those in places like Yellowstone are fed up with too many tourists. I recently read Empire of the Summer Moon, a deep dive into the history of Quanah Parker and the Comanche, who fought long to maintain the Llano Estacado as their territory. The book describes a number of battles with the Texas Rangers and U.S. Army that took place in the area, and how the Comache used their knowledge of those canyons to their advantage. I really enjoyed your beautiful footage of the area, and imagined what it must have been like during those times.
Great book !!!
I love those old buses. I think they are so cool looking in a retro way. BTW, wild turkeys do fly dispite popular belief. I've seen them in Sacramento and trust me you have to watch your step after they've been around, lots of big bombs.
I was shocked and very pleased to see this is brand new! You're back out on the road again producing more videos for us! Thank you ever so much, because I enjoy every one of them! Now where can I get a 3D video of the Grand Canyon? Real expensive to produce, but if anybody knows the location of one...
Great vid Steve... Thanks for taking us there!
Great episode! If it wasnt for Bob Wills there'd be a whole lotta nothin out there! 😂
Thanks Steve for exploring Texas it's about time. And I would love to explore some of these places that you've been to. At least I know now I'll have to make sure my wife has her allergy medicine when she visits the buffalo.
Beautiful canyon!
Yeah, I had no idea what to expect before getting there.
Awesome vid those prairie dogs chirping is epic
Loved this one Steve, wish I could have given more than one thumbs up. Have to agree with you that some of those old buildings have much more character than their modern counterparts and good to see how well they have been preserved.
Fascinated to see the Bob Wills connection too, I was introduced to his music (totally obscure here in the UK) back in the 1980's by a neighbour who was mainly a rockabilly afficionado. Western swing along with blues, country and rock'n'roll were however a big influence on that particular musical genre which explained his knowledge of the talented Mr Wills.
If you like Western Swing, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel do a good version of it too! 🤠✌️😎
Keep up the good work. Chosen subject matter is always good.
Thank you Steve. Another informative and enjoyable to watch video. Keep them coming.
Great channel. Thanks for all the great content.
Glad you enjoy it!
Another great video. I love these small towns. They are all very similar, but at the same time charming and unique. I miss the West and with a bit of luck, I be out there soon.
Wow. There’s a lot to see in that small town.
Another excellent adventure!
What a cool little town!!😎
So informative and fun Steve! Thanks so much for showing me another part of the US I haven't seen!
So glad to see you in Texas Steve! Sorry this is how you had to find out about your wife's allergy. Those Prarie dogs are so darn cute