Mecca Tupelo

Elvis Presley Birthplace - Tupelo, Mississippi - May 2006
(Chris and his wife Patty)

"This house was built in 1934 by Vernon, Vester and their father, Jesse Presley. Vernon Presley borrowed $180.00 from Mr. Orville Bean, the man he worked for in a dairy at that time. Vernon was very proud of the fact that he built the interior door all by himself. The hammer they used is in the museum.

On January 8, 1935, Gladys Presley gave birth to twin boys in this room. Jesse Garon was stillborn. The other twin was named Elvis Aaron Presley."

Chris with wife Patty (7 months Pregnant) inside Elvis Presley Memorial Chapel-Elvis Presely Birthplace- Tupelo, Mississippi
March 2008

Chris at Tupelo Hardware - Tupelo, MS - March 2008

"As the story is recorded in Forrest L. Bobo’s letter dated October 2, 1979, Gladys Presley brought her son Elvis to Tupelo Hardware in January 1945 to buy him a birthday present. According to Mr. Bobo, Elvis would have preferred a rifle, but his mother succeeded in buying a guitar instead. The boy strummed the new guitar for a while, before his mother paid $7.75 and a 2% sales tax." This I believe is a defining moment in Rock n' Roll history! We might have never known Elvis, if he would have bought the rifle...
Tupelo Hardware was Established in 1926 and is located at 114 W. Main Street, Tupelo, MS 33801.

Elvis Presley Birthplace - Tupelo, Mississippi - March 2008
(Chris)

Chris with 1939 Plymouth-Elvis Presley Birthplace-Tupelo, MS 2008

"Vernon worried about his family and their future in Tupelo. In November of 1948 when Elvis had just begun the eight grade, Vernon decided to move the family to Memphis in hopes of finding a better way of life for the Presley's. They sold all the furniture that they had at the time, loaded what was left in and on top of their 1939 Plymouth and headed for Memphis. And as you all know, the rest is history."

Elvis' First Guitar purchased at Tupelo Hardware in 1945

Supposedly Elvis himself and countless other Presleys (a common surname here) have eaten at this Tupelo, MS establishment. Popular for catfish and ribs, the venue is Johnny's Drive-In, on the corner of East Main Street and Veterans Boulevard In Tupelo, MS...Try The Dough Burger (It's a hamburger with flour mixed in with the beef...in tough economic times, this was a good way to make a meal go farther in feeding a family...It's actually really good!!!