Hangtown (Placerville) California Turkey Drive
Thanks to enterprising Henry C. Hooker, townspeople in Carson City, Nevada were ecstatic to get a most unique holiday gift from California in December of 1866—turkeys for dinner! For successful businessman Henry Hooker life was good until a devastating fire burned down much of Hangtown, including Hooker’s hardware business and hidden money. The clever entrepreneur figured out a much-needed niche and decided to fill it. He knew turkeys were not available around Carson City, and with the holidays approaching, if he could somehow get the feathered critters to Nevada, he might hit the jackpot. Hungry miners and others would give anything for a delicious change from sourdough and bacon. Historian Craig MacDonald uncovered this true story from the Old West called Get Along Little Turkeys…>
Previous: « Hollywood Star Studded Christmas | Next: San Diego Has Best Free Christmas Festival in California »
