In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims — early settlers of Plymouth Colony — held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest. Many regard this event as the nation’s first Thanksgiving. The Wampanoag Indians in attendance played a key role. Historians have recorded ceremonies of thanks among other groups of European settlers in North America. These include the British colonists in Virginia as early as 1619.
The legacy of thanks and the feast have survived the centuries, as the event became a national holiday 154 years ago (Oct. 3, 1863) when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November as a national day of thanksgiving. Later, President Franklin Roosevelt clarified that Thanksgiving Day should always be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month to encourage earlier holiday shopping, never on the occasional fifth Thursday.
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The number of occupied housing units across the nation in the second quarter of 2017 — potential stops for Thanksgiving dinner.
The number of multigenerational households in the United States in 2016. It is possible these households, consisting of three or more generations, will have to purchase large quantities of food to accommodate all the family members sitting around the table for the holiday feast, even if there are no guests.
The number of places in the United States named after the holiday’s traditional main course. Turkey Creek census designated place in Arizona, had 405 residents in 2015, followed by Turkey city, Texas (367); Turkey Creek village, La. (357); and Turkey town, N.C. (280). There are also 11 townships in the United States with “Turkey” in the name. (Please note that the populations of Turkey Creek census designated place, Ariz.; Turkey city, Texas; Turkey Creek village, La.; and Turkey town, N.C., are not significantly different from each other.)
The number of places and townships in the United States named Cranberry, a popular side dish at Thanksgiving. Cranberry township (Butler County), Pa., was the most populous of these places in 2016, with 30,739 residents. Cranberry township (Venango County), Pa., was next with 6,452 residents.
The number of counties, places and townships in the United States named Plymouth, as in Plymouth Rock, the landing site of the first Pilgrims. The two counties named Plymouth are in Massachusetts (513,565 residents) and Iowa (25,200 residents).
There is one township and one census designated place in the United States named Pilgrim. Dade County township in Missouri had a population of 129. A census designated place in Michigan had a population of 50. There are also Mayflower city, Ark., whose population was 2,430, and Mayflower Village census designated place, Calif., whose population was 5,421. (Please note that the populations of Pilgrim census designated place, Mich., and Pilgrim township in Dade County, Mo., are not significantly different from each other.)
Note: Townships have been included in these counts from 12 states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin) where the primary governmental or administrative divisions of a county serve as general-purpose local governments that can perform the same governmental functions as incorporated places. These county subdivisions are known as minor civil divisions, and the Census Bureau presents data for these in all products for which place data are provided.
(Please note that population totals for the two places on the list that are census designated places, Pilgrim, Mich., and Mayflower Village, Calif., and Pilgrim township in Dade County, Mo., pertain to the 2011-2015 American Community Survey.)
The Surprising Number of Towns in America Named Turkey
With Thanksgiving being one of the most beloved American holidays, you may be surprised to learn just how many towns in the United States are actually named “Turkey.” Despite the festive poultry associations, there are only three towns in America officially named Turkey.
The towns of Turkey, Texas; Turkey Creek, Louisiana; and Turkey, North Carolina each have their own unique stories behind the turkey-inspired name
Turkey, Texas
Turkey Texas is located in Hall County and had a population of just 492 residents as of the 2010 census. The small farming town was established in the 1880s by settler S.W. Calvert and was originally named “Turkey Roost” after a nearby creek where wild turkeys would roost. The town name was simplified to just “Turkey” when its post office opened in 1892.
Turkey Creek, Louisiana
Turkey Creek, Louisiana is an even smaller unincorporated community located in Evangeline Parish. Home to just around 200 residents, Turkey Creek was aptly named for the wild turkeys spotted along the banks of its nearby creek. The town is also home to a historic turkey processing plant originally opened in the 1940s.
Turkey, North Carolina
The town of Turkey, North Carolina located in Sampson County was established much earlier in the 18th century. It was originally named “Turkey” by its earliest settlers around 1720 due to the large flocks of wild turkeys in the area. Today, Turkey, NC remains a small rural town with a population of around 280 residents.
While there are just three official “Turkey” towns in the US, there are also nearly a dozen other towns named “Turkey Creek” or “Turkey Branch” throughout the Southern and Midwestern states. These towns were typically named after local creeks where wild turkeys were frequently spotted by settlers.
So this Thanksgiving as you sit down to your holiday feast, you can wow your family and friends with your newfound knowledge about the surprisingly few American towns actually named Turkey. It may seem like there would be more towns named in honor of the iconic American bird, but the three official Turkey towns have origins and histories as unique as the turkey itself.
Participants in the First Feast
The number of U.S. residents of English ancestry as of 2016. Some could very well be descendants of the Plymouth colonists who participated in the autumn feast that is widely believed to be one of the first Thanksgivings, especially the 636,000 living in Massachusetts.
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The number of members of the Wampanoag American Indian tribal grouping as of 2010, roughly half of whom resided in Massachusetts. The Wampanoag attended the first Thanksgiving, playing a lead role in the historic event, and were essential to the survival of the colonists during the newcomers’ first year.
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How many towns in the U.S are named Turkey?
FAQ
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