Hotel Turkey Explained

Hotel Turkey
Map Label:Hotel Turkey
Locmap Relief:yes
Location:Jct. of 3rd and Alexander Sts.
Turkey, Texas
Coordinates:34.3939°N -100.8975°W
Area:less than one acre
Architecture:Prairie School
Added:October 24, 1991
Refnum:91001521
Designated Other1:RTHL
Designated Other1 Date:1985
Designated Other1 Number:2575
Designated Other1 Num Position:bottom

The Hotel Turkey is a historic hotel located in Turkey, Texas, United States that originally opened in 1927.[1] The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 24, 1991.

The two-story reddish-brown brick prairie school designed structure was built by H. B. Jordan to take advantage of the extension of the Fort Worth and Denver South Plains Railway to the town of Turkey. On June 12, 1927 the building was partially complete when a tornado leveled it. Construction resumed shortly thereafter, and Hotel Turkey opened for business in November 1927.[2]

The hotel was located just three blocks from the train depot and provided a meeting room to the traveling salesmen of the day to display their wares to the townspeople.[1] The hotel also became a social center for the community as dances, banquets, and meetings of social and civic organizations took place in the dining room and lobby.[2]

The building has had several owners through the years but has operated continuously since it opened. In September 1988, Scott and Jane Johnson purchased and renovated Hotel Turkey. The hotel then had 14 patriotic, western or movie themed rooms such as the Gone With the Wind suite.[1]

In July 2015, the Hotel Turkey was purchased and re-established by Pat and Tina Carson of Turkey. They have made numerous renovations and continue to do so.

The hotel traditionally hosts the musicians who come to Turkey for the annual Bob Wills Day celebration on the last Saturday in April. George W. Bush, while still governor of Texas, once stayed at the hotel.[1]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Carmack, Liz. Historic Hotels of Texas, Texas A&M University Press: College Station, Texas, 2007. pp 129-131.
  2. http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=2091001521&site_name=Hotel+Turkey&class=2001 "Hotel Turkey" Texas Historic Sites Atlas.