Tupelo, Mississippi ~ Birthplace of Elvis Presley

In the last post, we visited Memphis, Tennessee for a  baseball tournament with the Dizzy Dean World Series for our grandson.   While visiting in Memphis we toured Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley.

As we continued on south toward home, our route took us through Tupelo, Mississippi which is the birthplace of Elvis Presley.  It was a nice drive from Memphis to Tupelo and only took about an hour and 45 to 50 minutes to arrive in Tupelo.  

We drove through the downtown area and I spotted this picturesque Tupelo courthouse.  Of course, I could not resist taking a picture of this very beautiful building.

When we heard that Tupelo was the birthplace of Elvis, after just visiting Graceland the home of Elvis, we knew we did not want to miss seeing where Elvis was born.

Yes, Elvis was born right inside that little house in the below photo.  His twin brother Jesse was born first and was stillborn.  How sad the family must have been.  Later, after his mother had multiple miscarriages, Elvis was destined to be an only child.

Elvis was named after his father Vernon.  His father's name was Vernon Elvis Presley.

The house was built by Vernon Presley and his brother and father.  Elvis had the good fortune to grow up in a close-knit working class family, consisting of his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who all lived near one another in Tupelo.  Elvis was said to be the center of his parents lives.

He attended church regularly with his family, and the music and preaching registered deeply with him.

Elvis was Born January 8, 1935.  He would have been 78 years old this January.

This little house has a sweet and simple charm.

There must have been an outhouse somewhere because we did not see a bathroom in the home.

In these photos this looks like a bedroom - sitting room combination including a fireplace.

I love this charming little kitchen.   And, that was it!......Just two rooms in the whole house.

The below photo turned out so blurry, but I wanted to include it anyway.  I think little Elvis looks so adorable in this photo.....Well!  Come to think of it, he stayed that way all his whole life didn't he!

This car was on display on the grounds outside the little house.  The sign next to the car told us, a car just like this one is the one the family drove when they all moved up to Memphis,  when Elvis was 12 years old.

Starting from humble beginnings did not prevent Elvis from soaring to levels of fame no one could ever have imagined.  He followed his heart,  stayed true to who he was,  and above all else was a kind, generous, and loving person.

Thank you for coming along with us on our trip through Tupelo. We hope all is well with you wherever you may be.