Celebrate Thanksgiving in three Turkey Towns

Turkey Day celebrations must be extra special in the three incorporated places in the United States named after the tasty November mascot. There are Turkey towns in Texas, Louisiana and North Carolina.

Turkey, Texas: Located on the banks of Turkey Creek 250 miles northwest of Dallas, it was originally called Turkey Roost. Its name was changed to Turkey, Texas in 1893. Turkey’s claim to fame, in addition to its name, is being the home of Bob Wills, the King of Western Swing. The Bob Wills Day Festival is held for three days over the last Saturday in April; 2010 marks the 39th year. In 2000, it had a population of 494.

Turkey, Louisiana: Located in Evangeline Parish, it boasted a population of 356 in 2000. It’s located 2.5 hours southeast of Shreveport.

Turkey, North Carolina: With only 262 people as of the 2000 census, this is the smallest of the Turkeys. It was named for the nearby Turkey Creek and the highway that runs through town is appropriately called the Turkey Highway. It’s about an hour southeast of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Carving our nearly 50-pound homegrown turkey. Photo by Sue Frause.