We are committed to homemade & happy. 

It all started with the idea that we would build a place where we would like to take our own family. Put the focus on fun and food always made the ‘way Grandma used to’ using real ingredients and her original recipes. When you come to Turkeyville we want every minute to be special and fun.

Grandpa (Wayne) Cornwell was from the city and when he married Grandma (Marjorie) in 1943 he decided to try his hand at farming. They decided to raise cows but it was a difficult year and the cows got sick. A neighbor gave Grandpa 12 turkeys to raise, and he was successful with all of them. In the early 60’s the Cornwell’s joined together with a group from the church and went to the county fair to sell turkey sandwiches. By 1968 the word was out about how good Grandma’s cooking was, so they decided to open a one room eatery, now know as Cornwell’s Turkeyville. Grandpa Cornwell served up the sandwiches and Grandma was in the kitchen preparing the food.

As the family grew, so did the business. The next addition to the complex was the Ice Cream Parlour, the place to satisfy your sweet tooth. All ice cream is homemade in the parlour using only the highest quality and freshest ingredients. Try the Butter Pecan made with real buttered pecans, or our own Turkey Trax; peanut butter ice cream with crushed peanuts, chocolate syrup, chocolate chips and peanut butter cups. While you are enjoying your ice cream in one of our homemade waffle cones be sure to browse our wide selection of caramel corn and fudge also made in house. With all of these homemade treats to choose from you are sure to find the perfect treat to take home.

The dining room was not big enough to hold all the quests on a rainy day, so the next step was to add a second dining room. This was enough until the early 80’s when business was booming and so was the family by leaps and bounds. There were 9 family members in the business at the time; Wayne and Marjorie (Grandma and Grandpa), Joie and Alan, Sons: Blain Brent, Bryan, daughter Vicki and daughter in-law Patti. In 1984, the Country Junction gift shops opened with all kinds of great gifts, souvenirs, household items and much more. The bakery was also opened with fresh baked goods every day. The appetizing aroma from our bakery will make you want to buy, one if not everything. We have fresh cinnamon rolls, cinnamon raisin bread, garlic and cheese bread just to name a few. Stop in and browse our wide selection of bakery products and find the perfect one (or more) items to take home for your family. And if you want you can even take it out of our package and tell everyone you made it yourself…we won’t tell.

The Cornwell family has always believed that they needed to have more than just great food. Twenty some years ago they started Craft Shows and Flea Markets as well as Antique Shows. This was their way of exceeding that ‘more than just great food’ motto. The Craft Show is a juried show and has grown to be well known for its size and quality. The list of events at Cornwell’s is always changing. 2011 was the second year for Bike Night, run on Wednesday nights May through Labor Day. We also host Garden Shows, Community Yard Sales and more.

Cornwell’s Dinner Theatre opened in the fall of 1987. The idea was to get people to stay longer, so that Turkeyville would be a destination for more than just a meal. That was almost 16 years ago and now the dinner theatre is host to over 40,000 guests in the 47-week season, which always includes great family entertainment. We feature actors from all over the United States and offer a variety of performances.

Being committed to the family roots, quality and fun are an important part of the way Turkeyville is run today.

 

Our Story Begins in 1968

Two generations of Cornwell’s opened their door to the public on the family farm. They made all recipes from the family cookbook with fresh ingredients everyday. The turkeys are the best part of the story; Grandpa and son, Alan, raised turkeys with a completely unique feed plan, ensuring a better and richer tasting bird. 49 years later, traditions continued. We are proud to have third and fourth generations operating Turkeyville with the same plan as Grandpa had in the beginning.

“Keep it simple and fresh and people will always return.”

Today we are a prime Midwest destination, an all-turkey restaurant with innovative menu items along with traditional favorites. Our Ice Cream Parlour is an old-fashioned soda fountain with house-made ice cream, so it’s always the freshest it can be.

The Country Junction Gift Shop is 23,000 sq. ft. of shopper’s delight, featuring a bakery and deli, gifts, souvenirs, holiday decor, and so much more. Turkeyville’s newest attraction is our RV Camp Resort, nestled between the cornfield and the woods, a delightful country experience for the whole family. Need even more entertainment? Enjoy our professional Broadway-style Dinner Theatre’s great musical and comedy shows, plus hilarious murder mysteries, while you dine on a delicious traditional turkey dinner. Top all of that off with special events throughout the year, and you have a one-of-a-kind, country fun experience.

Your Shared Memories

I grew up and graduated from Marshall High School. Raised my children and later moved to Oregon in 1979. This was always a favorite place to come for lunch and turkey dinner when available. I am so happy to see that the business is still operating. It brought back many fond memories for me. 

Deanna Joppie, April 2017

In 1973, my now late grandmother Phyllis G. Francisco bought me to Turkeyville for the children’s archery event. We had such a wonderful time I still cherish memories of that visit. I now frequent Turkeyville with my children and grandchildren. Thank you for the memories! 

Teresa Smith, August 2019

We have been coming there for 30 yrs. We remember being greeted at the door by the parents, lovely people. Always tasty food and the events are always fun. Remember going in the big red barn for antiques, miss that too. Will look forward to next year for craft and antique fairs. God bless!

 

Don & Yvonne Ottewell, October 2017

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