Tribute to Elvis Presley

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Back in April Debbie and Bev took me to Memphis for my 60th birthday. Wally was a big Elvis fan and the Graceland trip was one of our planned destinations. Our trip included him on our fun weekend.
When I started to plan my trip from Hot Springs to Gulf Shores, Alabama I realized that Tupelo, Mississippi—Elvis’ birthplace, was just a short “jog” off my direct route. An opportunity not to be missed and because I travelled through Memphis on my way to Tupelo I am including some photos of Graceland along with the photos of Elvis’ first home. I must say that we were impressed with the reverence with which Graceland site has been developed, and this site is the same. Graceland stands alone in its grounds just as it did during Elvis’ lifetime; to keep the commercialism away from Elvis’ personal belongings in order to visit the house you catch a shuttle bus from across the street where the gift shop, automobiles and airplane are on display.
Apparently when Elvis was a kid growing up in Tupelo there weren’t safe places for kids to play so in 1957 he donated enough money to start a park in East Tupelo and the house and 15 acres of land around the house where he was born has been purchased over the years to create the park. The house is its original location, but behind the house is a museum and chapel, to the side picnic tables are set up under the trees.
Tupelo itself is very much the same as a hundred other small cities. It is the county seat and is lucky to have preserved it’s beautiful courthouse—thought of Bellville The core is very attractive, the streets are clean and wide but the city fathers have obviously got a fetish for traffic lights, I have never seen so many on one street—and no two are synchronized! What I found somewhat amusing is that the Methodist, Baptist, Catholic and Presbyterian churches all occupy one block; thought how practical that is because if you don’t like Father Dominic’s sermon could you wander over to catch Brother Simon’s or Pastor Peter’s!

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Photos

Graceland
Not as big as we had imagined.

Formal Sitting Room
With music room in rear. Preserved just as it was.

Gravesite
Elvis was originally buried in a Memphis cemetery but somebody tried to steal his body so he was moved and lies here on the grounds of Graceland

Memphis
Taken from the roof top patio of the Peabody

Beale Street
Memphis' social center. Lots of sidewalk restaurants and bars with live entertainment

Birthplace
A simple two roomed frame house which cost $180 to build back in 1934

Statue
Elvis at 13

Chapel
Built with funds donated by fans from around the world

courthouse
Unfortunately I couldn't take a decent picture because of all the cables in front of the building

National Battlefield
This is the site of the last major engagement of the Civil War in Mississippi