Turkey in Hall County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Ham's Barber Shop

Photographed by Allen Lowrey, April 27, 2024

1. Ham's Barber Shop Marker

Inscription. Floyce Oliver (F.O.) Ham (1896-1967) left his family's farm in Beaver, Oklahoma, at age 15 in search of business opportunities. He settled in Turkey and opened the towns first barber shop, which had various locations before he built a brick commercial building in the spring 1925. The narrow rectangular plan building features a brick facade in running bond pattern, a display window and transom windows for ventilation. The deep red and black "rug textured" bricks are stamped by Acme Brick Company of Denton and dated 1924. The shop flourished in its location in the middle of Turkey’s business district, and F.O.’s younger brother, Clayton (1907- 1959), joined him in the shop as a partner. Along with a haircut and shave for 25 cents, customers could get shoes and boots polished while they waited for an open chair. Ham’s barber shop also offered the only public bath and shower facilities in town, with rainwater captured in a brick cistern near the back of the building.

In 1928, the Ham brothers hired Bob Wills (1905-1975), who grew up in Turkey, attended Dendy’s Barber College in Amarillo, and acquired his state license. Wills lived with F.O. Ham's family for a time in Turkey, barbering in chair four and playing fiddle between haircuts, often drawing large crowds to the shop and Main Street. In 1929, Wills stopped barbering and soon founded the Western Swing Band "Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys.” After achieving fame in music and movie industries, Wills and his band came back to Turkey and performed a free concert in front of the barber shop.

F.O. married Leona Keever (1893-1985) in 1919. Their son, Harold, began working in the shop in 1942 at age twelve and operated the business until it closed in 2001, by which time four generations of Hams had worked

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in the shop. As a longtime commercial enterprise and as a gathering place for news and fellowship, Ham’s Barber Shop is remembered for its importance in local culture and heritage. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2021

Erected 2021 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23396.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 34° 23.574′ N, 100° 53.906′ W. Marker is in Turkey, Texas, in Hall County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and 2nd Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 203 Main St, Turkey TX 79261, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Texas Panhandle.

It is also on the American Great Plains

and specifically on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

the Republic of Texas,

and

Photographed by Allen Lowrey, April 27, 2024

2. Ham's Barber Shop Marker

one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hotel Turkey (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Quanah Parker Trail (about 600 feet away); Bob Wills (about 700 feet away); 1928 Phillips 66 Service Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); Turkey Texas (approx. 0.3 miles away); Turkey High School (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Methodist Church of Turkey (approx. 0.4 miles away); Resthaven Cemetery (approx. 7.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Turkey.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2024, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,083 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2024, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.