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Elvis Presley Birthplace

The most significant landmark of Tupelo's modern history is a modest, two-room house where the King of Rock & Roll was born on January 8, 1935. From this humble beginning, Elvis Presley began his swift rise to become the world's most popular entertainer.

The house where Elvis was born, built by his father with $180, draws over 50,000 visitors each year from across the world.

Tupelo bought the house and land with money provided from a 1957 Tupelo concert by Elvis himself, who wanted a park for neighborhood children. As an official Mississippi landmark, the birthplace of Elvis is part of the 15-acre Elvis Presley Park. It includes expansion of the main parking lot to accommodate motorcoaches, a garden walkway system, new entrance signs, an expanded gift shop and beautiful landscaping.

Inside the Elvis Presley Park a museum traces his road to fame, beginning with a unique collection of clothing and concluding with such personal items as riding boots and a Las Vegas jumpsuit. The Chapel, built by donations from his fans, offers a time for meditation.

In August, 2003, a story wall was unveiled offering a collection of original, unedited stories from people who knew Elvis during his Tupelo days. The "Walk of Life", which surrounds the house where Elvis was born, is a scored concrete circle with dated granite blocks denoting each year of Elvis' life from 1935 to 1977. The 1948 block marks the year in which Elvis and his family left for Memphis. Tennessee, and it leads to the "Elvis at 13" bronze statue, which memorializes Elvis as a young boy wearing overalls and carrying a guitar. From there the walkway leads to "The Fountain of Life", a beautiful water feature, which is a complete circle representing Elvis' life in Tupelo. It begins with 13 upper water spouts which pour over harder stone, symbolizing strong values instilled in his youth by his parents, church and community. The remaining spouts signify 29 years of Elvis' life after he left Tupelo. There is also a 1939 green Plymouth 4-door sedan, similar to the car in which he and his family rode to Memphis in.

The Elvis Presley self-Guided driving tour leads to some of the most significant locations of Elvis' life in Tupelo.

1. The previous Assembly of God Church, location where Elvis and his family attended church under the pastor of Rev. Frank Smith
2. Lawhon Elementary School, the first school Elvis attended
3. Johnnie's Drive-In, where Elvis shared moments with friend James Ausborne, while enjoying a cheeseburger and RC Cola
4. Shakerag, a significant part of Elvis' past where he gained influence from sanctified gospel and blues music
5. Tupelo Fairgrounds, where Elvis performed concerts in 1956 and 1957
6. Tupelo Hardware, where Elvis bought his first guitar
7. Lee County Courthouse, where Elvis performed his first live radio show hosted by Mississippi Slim and WELO
8. The previous Mayhorn's Grocery Store, where Elvis used to sit on the porch and listen to blues and gospel music in the neighborhood where he lived
9. Lee County Library, where Elvis received his first library card
10. Milam Jr. High, last school Elvis attended before moving to Memphis.

The Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum
306 Elvis Presley Drive
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday (May-September); 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday (October through April) and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday year round. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Group tour information is available upon request. For more information, contact Dick Guyton at 662-841-1245, dguyton@redmagnet.com or visit www.elvispresleybirthplace.com.

For information on the Driving Tour call 1-800-533-0611.

Elvis Presley® Festival

A Hometown Tribute to the King of Rock 'n Roll®

Held annually the first weekend in June, the Elvis Presley Festival is Tupelo's tribute to their most famous native son. The weekend is filled with music, food and fun on the streets of Downtown Tupelo. For more information, call 888-273-7798 or visit www.tupeloelvisfestival.com.