About the Tupelo House

[Gerianne]

Last night when I was in the chatroom, at the end we were talking about the Tupelo house and how this wasn't even the original house anymore. I knew that the furniture in the house wasn't the original and even the swing outside, but I had no idea that this wasn't even Elvis' house at all. It isn't even on the same piece of land. I was told that the original house was a few 100 yards away and no-one knows what has happened to it.
I'm wondering if anyone has been to the site of the original house and if so, what is on it now. Has it been developed into something else.

My friend's father who is an Elvis fan for 50 years didn't even know that the Tupelo house wasn't the original. He was very surprised when I told him that the actual house never belonged to Elvis and that it isn't even in the same place. He knows loads about Elvis and this really surprised him.
I'm sure there are a lot of fans out there who didn't know this. Even though I liked visiting the house I thought was Elvis' in Tupelo, I have to say that it just isn't the same now knowing that this was never his house.

[srj1967]

No, it's not the original house, although I believe the front door frame was the only oirginal piece used in the reconstruction.

I went there in '88 and basically thought of it as an exaggerated reconstruction. But very inaccurate: the furnishings are quite nice, with cheery wallpaper etc, but from all accounts, the original house was nothing like that.

And the quality and amount of stuff in there was just ridiculous. The Presleys were poor, but the house doesn't really reflect that at all.

The records as to exactly where the original house stood disappeared long ago, when Old Saltillo Road (supposedly where the original house stood, but this is open to debate) disappeared due to rezoning.

The house is not an essential stop on anyone's US Presley pilgrimage, I think ...

[Gerianne]

Thanks for that srj. When I went there last year, I really thought I was standing in the original house, so it has come as a bit of a shock to me to find out that this wasn't even his house and no-one really knows what has happened to it. I suppose I just feel a bit disappointed.
I wouldn't mind but I'm going there next week for 4 days to Tupelo and even though there are other things to see, it won't be the same.

[riley]

very few people seem to know that indeed.
I also did found out about only a year or so and was shocked too:supriced::supriced:

How long is that Tupelo house alreaddy a museum. I do think it was there alreaddy to visit when Elvis was still alive. I even have a pic of Vernon sitting on the front porch reminiscing about the past.

It is odd that Elvis and the whole family agreed on having this fake house being showed as the real one. Nowhere is there a sign near the house that says it is a replica either:hmm:

But I always had my questions about it because when the Presleys left that house noone knew Elvis alreaddy or the great future he was fascing. So I assume others came into the house, changed it , lived in it etc etc.

That furniture could not be real because it seems it was untouched since The Presleys left and that could simply not be true:P

[srj1967]

I wouldn't mind but I'm going there next week for 4 days to Tupelo and even though there are other things to see, it won't be the same.

FOUR DAYS in Tupelo????!!

Look, aside from the house and musuem, the Tupelo McDonalds (covered with Elvis), the hardware store where he got his first guitar and the fairgrounds, there is nothing else to see.

You could conceivably see everything in four hours, let alone four days!

I'd suggest maybe change your itinerary, and use your time in Memphis, where there is plenty to see and do (even excluding the Elvis-related stuff). Trust me when I say one day in Tupelo is more than enough!

As to when it became an attraction, I seem to remember that it was sometime in the early seventies, but I may be wrong.

But it's not the original home, which is why I didn't bother going down there when I returned to Memphis in June. And I've decided I'll never go back to Memphis either, but for entirely different reasons ... ;)

[Diane]

I had read somewhere that the house in Tupelo wasn't the original and it wasn't hard to guess that the furnishings weren't either from the pictures I've seen. I've read that Gladys was a very clean housekeeper but they had very little and not of good quality.

Riley but any chance could you post that picture of Vernon on the front steps reminiscing? I've never seen that one and would like to print a copy of it. I'd really appreciate it.

Diane

[EP4MEUK]

I am totally shocked :cursing: I have just been on the Tupelo site and it reads...

The furniture in the house today is NOT the original furniture but is accurate to the time period when the Presley's lived here. It is similar and placed in the approximate location as it was when they lived here, according to Vernon Presley. The basic structure is original. The ceiling and roof have been replaced. The house is located on the original location it was built.
So what is the truth.....:hmm:I feel totally gutted now and if it is true I want my money back :angry: what a cheek.

Susan x

[Gerianne]

The only reason I'm going to Tupelo is because I'm going with a travel tour and 4 days in Tupelo is just part of it. I'm also going for 7 days in Memphis so at least I will have that to look forward to

[Gerianne]

I am totally shocked :cursing: I have just been on the Tupelo site and it reads...

The furniture in the house today is NOT the original furniture but is accurate to the time period when the Presley's lived here. It is similar and placed in the approximate location as it was when they lived here, according to Vernon Presley. The basic structure is original. The ceiling and roof have been replaced. The house is located on the original location it was built.
So what is the truth.....:hmm:I feel totally gutted now and if it is true I want my money back :angry: what a cheek.

Susan x

I feel really annoyed too Susan. They are saying that the basic structure is the original, but yet others say it isn't. How would we ever find this out for sure.

[kevis]

hi gerrianne i too did not know this, i went 3 years ago it was very quiet and the old lady sitting inside the house told me that she was a personel friend of the family knew them all growing up and when i asked about the house which i assume most do i was told that teh roof had been replaced a few yrs ago but that the walls and flooring were the original that vernond had built, now if this is not true then it raises ethical questions like why are the guides giving out false info and as you said why has vernon and others help with this myth, it will be worth asking when you get there,

kev

[Gerianne]

Don't worry Kev, I will be asking plenty of questions. I'd just like to know what the truth is about this house.
When I was there last year, there were two women and they told the story of the house, but they never said it wasn't the original. If people found out that the house wasn't the original, then I don't think they would bother visiting it at all.
I just want to find out what the truth is.

[Circle G]

FOUR DAYS in Tupelo????!!

But it's not the original home, which is why I didn't bother going down there when I returned to Memphis in June. And I've decided I'll never go back to Memphis either, but for entirely different reasons ... ;)

Hey srj
spill the beans, why are'nt you ever going back to Memphis?:hmm:

[srj1967]

Hey srj
spill the beans, why are'nt you ever going back to Memphis?:hmm:

As I explained in my thread re my recent trip there, the magic has gone for me. The area across from the mansion is overloaded with crap souvenirs - there is really nothing interesting available.

The tours are now impersonal (ie those stupid audio things you have to press to hear commentary) rather than a guide taking the time to explain things; the general approach from EPE / Sillerman etc is, IMO, now more about marketing rather than maintaining the spirit of the man or his music.

As I have said, Graceland will slowly be turned into Disneyland II. I have been twice now - for my 21st and 40th birthdays - and that will do me until I drop off the twig.

The general atmosphere there is no longer pleasant, at least not to me. It used to feel like a former home, now it just feels like an "attraction". In some respects, I felt like I was visiting a theme park, and the new ideas for the Graceland expansion will only make that feeling increase, IMO. Yes, the area certainly needs to be cleaned up, but a new luxury hotel? Not necessary.

It's difficult to explain, but that's how it was for me this past June.

[EP4MEUK]

srj1967...I feel exactly the same as you on this subject ..that is what I was saying in my thread Memphis orTupelo.

I am going to do my best to find out the truth on this subject :hmm:even if it takes me forever. Anyone got any suggestions?I have a few of my own I will let you know what they reveal.....;)

Susan x

[elvis himselvis]

I'm shocked to hear this...i thought it was on the same location as it was when Elvis lived there...are there any pictures of the house when the Presleys lived there?????

[Dovey]

hi gerrianne i too did not know this, i went 3 years ago it was very quiet and the old lady sitting inside the house told me that she was a personal friend of the family knew them all growing up and when i asked about the house which i assume most do i was told that the roof had been replaced a few yrs ago but that the walls and flooring were the original that vernand had built, now if this is not true then it raises ethical questions like why are the guides giving out false info and as you said why has Vernon and others help with this myth, it will be worth asking when you get there,

Kev
I too am totally shocked.. That little lady at the Tupelo house told us everything was exactly the same when Elvis lived there .. except there had not been a porch swing when the Presley's lived there. (I am sure she is paid to lie to us fans but....) I have to admit this really makes me mad as the bus trip from Memphis to Tupelo is a long one and we could of spent that time doing other things. The McDonald's was no big deal(Different) and the hardware.. was just that a hardware.

Wow, they sure lie to us fans just to get $$$$$$. Dovey;)

[riley]

Diane,

I really am not able to post it here, it works otherwise here to upload pics and I do not seem to manage to have it here printed out.

Give me your e mail, I'll send it to you and then you can upload it here for everyone to see, OK

[EP4MEUK]

Ok just found this although it is not the answer to the question ..to which is getting me really mad :angry: I was amazed just how mnay homes Elvis moved to in his young years....

Homes of the Presley's
YEAR CITY

Old Saltillo Road 1933
Tupelo

Old Saltillo Road with Grandparents 1934
Tupelo

Maple street 1938
Tupelo

Pascagoula 1940
Mississippi
Reese street 1940
Tupelo
510.5 Maple street 1940
Tupelo
Kelly street 1940
Tupelo
Berry street 1942
Tupelo
Adams street 1943
Tupelo
Commerce street 1946
Tupelo
Mullberry street 1946
Tupelo
North Green street 1947
Tupelo
370 Washington street 1948
Memphis
572, Poplar Avenue, Lounderd. Court 1949
Memphis
185 Winchester street 1949
Memphis
698, Saffrans street 1953
Memphis
462, Alabama street 1953
Memphis
2414, Lamar Avenue, 1955
Memphis
1414, Getwell street 1955
Memphis
1034, Audubon Drive, 1956
Memphis
3764 South Bellevue boulevard Graceland 1957
Memphis
Goethestrasse 14. 1958
Germany


Wow so many I knew of a few but not of them all :supriced:

I will keep searching .....

Susan x

[Diane]

Thank you Riley, I'll look forward to getting the picture. I'm not knowledgeable enough about computers to post a picture here (hope to someday though). Why not also send it to Tommy so he could post it in the gallery?

Diane

[kevis]

thx for the list Susan, i knew they moved a lot in tupelo and that they were forced to live with the grandparents as vernon went to jail, but i was told by the lady in the birthplace that the house we visit today is nearly all original we all know the furniture isnt and thats to be expected, but the floor and walls were told to me to be original as was the actual situation of the house as i was told the one they moved to when vernon went to jail was next door to the birthplace one and that there were others of the same design in the area, now i read not only is it not the house but it isnt in the right place i really think this needs sorting out as if its not the original house or thr right location then a lot of fans have been mislead which i think is out of order,

kev

[presley31]

HI diane
took me awhile to dig this out, so here you go

[kevis]

hello just found a picture of the house in 1945 and a up to date one i know it dosent help much but you can see them together and i have emailed people asking for help on this matter i need to know the truth,

http://www.elvis-presley-biography.com/ElvisBirthPlace.htm

kev

[Gerianne]

hello just found a picture of the house in 1945 and a up to date one i know it dosent help much but you can see them together and i have emailed people asking for help on this matter i need to know the truth,

http://www.elvis-presley-biography.com/ElvisBirthPlace.htm

kev

They probably just copied the whole design of the house Kev and are leading fans to believe that it is the original house and it is in the same location.
This is really annoying me a lot. When I walked through that house last August, I did feel emotional as I felt that the Tupelo house had a big significance, and now to think that it isn't even his original house - this really annoys me. I feel they have taken something from me by having these lies. Does anyone out there think we will ever be told the truth.
I don't mind what the women in the house say when you are visiting it, they are paid to say this, and they might not even know themselves that it isn't the original house. But when I go in there next week, I will be asking questions, as will all of the fans on the same tour who have heard about this now for the first time.

[Diane]

Jen, thank you so much - I love this picture!:hug: I wonder what Vernon thought of the copy of his old home?

Kev, thanks for the picture of the original home. It looks to me like they did a good job on the copy - except for sprucing it up inside and out.

Riley, thanks so much for the offer of the picture but now Jen has saved us the worry of posting it.

Diane

[Diane]

Gerianne, I want to thank you also for posting the link. We must have crossed in posting as you weren't there when I saw Kev's.

Have a great trip and I hope you can find out what happened to the original house while you're there.

Diane

[kevis]

the link i posted above is from a elvis site i asked the guy if he had any info on the house and he wrote back asking me to buy his book looked good but i emailed him again and this is what he sent back......

The structure has been renovated as it was unstable and the house was relocated just a little further down the road, Lea

so according to this guy the house has definetly been moved so now i have emailed the birthplace direct to see if they have a answer,

kev

[Gerianne]

Gerianne, I want to thank you also for posting the link. We must have crossed in posting as you weren't there when I saw Kev's.

Have a great trip and I hope you can find out what happened to the original house while you're there.

Diane

Diane, just to say that it was Kev who posted the link, not me. I just quoted Kev.

[Gerianne]

the link i posted above is from a elvis site i asked the guy if he had any info on the house and he wrote back asking me to buy his book looked good but i emailed him again and this is what he sent back......

The structure has been renovated as it was unstable and the house was relocated just a little further down the road, Lea

so according to this guy the house has definetly been moved so now i have emailed the birthplace direct to see if they have a answer,

kev

Kev, I would be very interested to know if you get a reply from the birthplace and what they have to say about this.
The fact that the house was relocated and because the structure of the house was unstable, this says to me that they probably wouldn't have been able to move it without it falling apart, and the house in Tupelo is completely new and nothing to do with Elvis at all :angry:

[Dave Wyatt]

I thought it was common knowledge that the shack in Tupelo wasn't the original one Elvis was born in and that it wasn't in it's original location.

[Gerianne]

Some people knew about this Dave but most fans don't know. When people visit the birthplace they are told it is the original, so naturally they would believe this. This is what I believed all along myself. And as I said further up, my friends father who has been an Elvis fan for 50 years didn't even know this either, so I do think most people don't know about this at all.

[EP4MEUK]

Hi Dave...I want to ask you when did you find this out and how? I have read many books about Elvis seen documentaries and I have never been aware of this fact :doh:

Susan x

[Diane]

Oh yes you did Gerianne I see that now but thanks anyway.:D

Diane

[Gary1]

Hi Dave...I want to ask you when did you find this out and how? I have read many books about Elvis seen documentaries and I have never been aware of this fact :doh:

Susan xI'd like to know that as well.

[Gerianne]

We'd all like to know this Gary

[Colonel Tom]

As I explained in my thread re my recent trip there, the magic has gone for me. The area across from the mansion is overloaded with crap souvenirs - there is really nothing interesting available.

The tours are now impersonal (ie those stupid audio things you have to press to hear commentary) rather than a guide taking the time to explain things; the general approach from EPE / Sillerman etc is, IMO, now more about marketing rather than maintaining the spirit of the man or his music.

As I have said, Graceland will slowly be turned into Disneyland II. I have been twice now - for my 21st and 40th birthdays - and that will do me until I drop off the twig.

The general atmosphere there is no longer pleasant, at least not to me. It used to feel like a former home, now it just feels like an "attraction". In some respects, I felt like I was visiting a theme park, and the new ideas for the Graceland expansion will only make that feeling increase, IMO. Yes, the area certainly needs to be cleaned up, but a new luxury hotel? Not necessary.

It's difficult to explain, but that's how it was for me this past June.


Hi ! I totally agree with your opinion ! I've seen the House in January 1995, August 1997 and August 2002. And the last time, I decided not to, come back for a while because I felt like "the magic" had been lost on the way, most certainly because of EPE who is turning the thing into a Disneyland for Elvis fans !