Originally called Turkey Roost for Turkey Creek and the roosting turkeys there, settlers began arriving in the 1890's. The name was shortened to Turkey when the post office (the dug-out of Alfred P. Hall, postmaster) was granted in 1893.
Turkey is best known as the home of Bob Wills, the King of Western Swing. Wills was a barber in Turkey during the 1920's. In his biography “Hubbin’ It”, Wills said that the lotions and soft-work of barbering kept his fingers pliable for playing the fiddle. It was a trade that many musicians shared, since the day work of barbering never interfered with dances and holiday celebrations. Wills formed the Texas Playboys band and their music introduced a new offshoot of county-western music known as “Western Swing.”