The Tupelo Tornado - ?

[Vissie]

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1/052506/Miscellaneous/8627cf87.jpg

From what I'm reading, "The Tupelo Tornado" (4th deadliest domestic tornado) hit Tupelo the night of April 5, 1936.

When you look at photos of the Presley homestead, one has to wonder.. how on earth did it withstand the onslaught of such a terrible force?

Does anyone know if the structure sustained any damage?

[riley]

Vissie,

The birthhouse we see nowadays is not the real one, it is a replica.:supriced:

I wonder if the real one still exists

[Vissie]

Vissie,

The birthhouse we see nowadays is not the real one, it is a replica.:supriced:

I wonder if the real one still exists

It is? :supriced:

[ksimms2]

I've heard different stories of this - some say it's not the original home and others say it is - just moved over some....?

[Vissie]

Where is Getlo? :lol: He can usually give us something to go on ;)

[0349054]

Apparently the doorframe is original.

[Vissie]

Apparently the doorframe is original.

That's it? What happened to the original house then? :supriced:

[0349054]

The preservation of Elvis's birthplace was not paramount in the minds of Tupelo locals for a long time.

It deteorated over time.

[Vissie]

The preservation of Elvis's birthplace was not paramount in the minds of Tupelo locals for a long time.

It deteorated over time.

I can understand them not being able to forsee the future (in terms of it becoming a place of importance).

But, did someone take down the actual building? Bulldozed it so to speak?

Or was it condemned?

Was it lost in a storm?

[Gerianne]

I was in Tupelo and I questioned this. They told me that the house is the original one but the roof and floor have been replaced. I said that I heard the house wasn't in the original location but they said it had been moved up a bit, but that it was definetly the original house. I know some dispute this so I don't know for sure what is the truth anymore, but this is what I've been told anyway.

[EDOEP]

silly question .... :blush:

why is the front part 'sitting' on blocks of stone and the back part is not!?

is the floor inside plain? :blink: (LOL, or does one slowly slide down?)

hugs, ellie

[Vissie]

I was in Tupelo and I questioned this. They told me that the house is the original one but the roof and floor have been replaced. I said that I heard the house wasn't in the original location but they said it had been moved up a bit, but that it was definetly the original house. I know some dispute this so I don't know for sure what is the truth anymore, but this is what I've been told anyway.

Thanks so much for sharing this Gerianne :-) I can understand parts of it being repaired due to age alone ~

[Vissie]

silly question .... :blush:

why is the front part 'sitting' on blocks of stone and the back part is not!?

is the floor inside plain? :blink: (LOL, or does one slowly slide down?)

hugs, ellie

An inefficient way to make the house level ~

[ksimms2]

this is really strange you guys.....another mystery for 007 to solve!

[Gerianne]

As they say in The X Files - The Truth Is Out There (lol)

[EDOEP]

As they say in The X Files - The Truth Is Out There (lol)

OK, the next user who is going to visit tupelo please should bring along her / his childhood marbels or a pingpong ball and do a test :lmfao:

[ruggishboo]

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1/052506/Miscellaneous/8627cf87.jpg

From what I'm reading, "The Tupelo Tornado" (4th deadliest domestic tornado) hit Tupelo the night of April 5, 1936.

When you look at photos of the Presley homestead, one has to wonder.. how on earth did it withstand the onslaught of such a terrible force?

Does anyone know if the structure sustained any damage?

I believe the F-5 tornado that struck Tupelo missed the Elvis's house by just a few short miles, but I'm sure the Presley's could hear it. Funny how you don't hear a whole lot about this in Elvis documentaries or books. I'm sure it is in Last Train to Memphis; I'll have to go check :)

[Vissie]

I believe the F-5 tornado that struck Tupelo missed the Elvis's house by just a few short miles, but I'm sure the Presley's could hear it. Funny how you don't hear a whole lot about this in Elvis documentaries or books. I'm sure it is in Last Train to Memphis; I'll have to go check :)

Rugg, I double-checked LTTM but I didn't find anything(?) :blink: I actually stumbled across the history of this tornado by looking for information on hurricanes :) If you find out something more about it, please let me know, ok? Thanks! (y)

[gracelandgirl]

I read that a church close to the house was completely flattened but the house itself was almost untouched. Elvis and his parents apparently went to a relative's home when they heard the tornado was approaching, the whole family (Presley's and Smith's) were pretty much unscathed by the storm. I read about it in one of the biographies, can't remember which ... might have been 'Elvis and Gladys'

[Vissie]

I read that a church close to the house was completely flattened but the house itself was almost untouched. Elvis and his parents apparently went to a relative's home when they heard the tornado was approaching, the whole family (Presley's and Smith's) were pretty much unscathed by the storm. I read about it in one of the biographies, can't remember which ... might have been 'Elvis and Gladys'

Ahh, interesting. Thanks for sharing that with me gracelandgirl. That sure would've been a lot safer for the family http://www.tcb-world.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ruggishboo]

Rugg, I double-checked LTTM but I didn't find anything(?) :blink: I actually stumbled across the history of this tornado by looking for information on hurricanes :) If you find out something more about it, please let me know, ok? Thanks! (y)

You're right Vissie I looked in LTTM and it wasn't in there. I do know that the tornado came through in the night, and have heard the Presleys were at a relative's house like gracelandgirl said, just don't know it for a fact. I wonder if being that close to such a devastating phenomenon affected any of them in a psychological way, even Elvis, who was only a baby then. I also remember a flashback type scene in the 1990 Elvis TV series that had young Gladys and young Elvis getting out of the house with the tornado in the distance? Hopefully I'm remembering that right..

[Vissie]

You're right Vissie I looked in LTTM and it wasn't in there. I do know that the tornado came through in the night, and have heard the Presleys were at a relative's house like gracelandgirl said, just don't know it for a fact. I wonder if being that close to such a devastating phenomenon affected any of them in a psychological way, even Elvis, who was only a baby then. I also remember a flashback type scene in the 1990 Elvis TV series that had young Gladys and young Elvis getting out of the house with the tornado in the distance? Hopefully I'm remembering that right..

Rugg, I can only imagine how frighten the Presley's were! I'm sure the entire population was wondering if they would survive the storm. Having lived through a few terrible storms myself, I can attest to the feelings of fear and helplessness. I'm still curious to know if that is the original house or not? :hmm:

[gracelandgirl]

I have seen an article in 'Elvis Monthly' where Vernon took the editor(?) Albert Hand and his wife to Tupelo and showed them the house. Vernon was photo'd sitting on the front porch. He pointed out the well to the Hands and took them around Tupelo pointing out Elvis' old school etc. I'll check in my scrapbooks to see if I still have the article.

I was at the house myself in April 2003. I loved it - there was a lot of work going on at the time, but everyone who worked there seemed to have a genuine love for Elvis and I didn't feel rushed through the house, the staff were happy to answer questions and really seemed to enjoy meeting people - they wanted to know where we were from and I came away with the impression that they were very proud of Elvis. It was stated on several occasions everything in the house was NOT genuine but true to the timescale that Elvis and his parents lived there. It was emphasised how poor the family was and that the chances of the house being so well equipped and decorated were slim.

The chapel was beautiful and though I'm not very religious there was certainly a feeling of stillness and peace there that I found very touching. I also loved the fact that the house was framed in the chapel window.

[Vissie]

I have seen an article in 'Elvis Monthly' where Vernon took the editor(?) Albert Hand and his wife to Tupelo and showed them the house. Vernon was photo'd sitting on the front porch. He pointed out the well to the Hands and took them around Tupelo pointing out Elvis' old school etc. I'll check in my scrapbooks to see if I still have the article.

I was at the house myself in April 2003. I loved it - there was a lot of work going on at the time, but everyone who worked there seemed to have a genuine love for Elvis and I didn't feel rushed through the house, the staff were happy to answer questions and really seemed to enjoy meeting people - they wanted to know where we were from and I came away with the impression that they were very proud of Elvis. It was stated on several occasions everything in the house was NOT genuine but true to the timescale that Elvis and his parents lived there. It was emphasised how poor the family was and that the chances of the house being so well equipped and decorated were slim.

The chapel was beautiful and though I'm not very religious there was certainly a feeling of stillness and peace there that I found very touching. I also loved the fact that the house was framed in the chapel window.

What beautiful memories gracelandgirl http://www.tcb-world.com/images/icons/icon7.gif I did read that the furnishings and porch swing were not from Elvis's time there.. basically because the Presley's could never have afforded them. Did they happen to mention if the structure itself was original?

[gracelandgirl]

I'm sorry Vissie I can't remember for sure, but my friend Elaine, who came to Tennessee with me, certainly came away with that impression, so I guess they must have said something along those lines. I'm sorry, I was kind of awestruck that whole week ... I didn't even take that many photo's. I was in a trance, I think. Couldn't believe I was really there ...
It's difficult to know for sure if the structure is the original - after all it was only made of wood (probably cheap lumber at that) and the Presley's had left it 18-19 years before Elvis became famous. Anyone who moved into it after them would have been as poor as they were I should think. But Vernon certainly told the Hand family the house was the one he had helped build, and didn't Elvis give the proceeds of one of the Tupelo concerts towards building a recreation centre for youngsters on the grounds? He is also said to have taken friends to see the house in the fifties and sixties.
Sorry, I seem to have answered your question with more questions, lol.

[Vissie]

I'm sorry Vissie I can't remember for sure, but my friend Elaine, who came to Tennessee with me, certainly came away with that impression, so I guess they must have said something along those lines. I'm sorry, I was kind of awestruck that whole week ... I didn't even take that many photo's. I was in a trance, I think. Couldn't believe I was really there ...
It's difficult to know for sure if the structure is the original - after all it was only made of wood (probably cheap lumber at that) and the Presley's had left it 18-19 years before Elvis became famous. Anyone who moved into it after them would have been as poor as they were I should think. But Vernon certainly told the Hand family the house was the one he had helped build, and didn't Elvis give the proceeds of one of the Tupelo concerts towards building a recreation centre for youngsters on the grounds? He is also said to have taken friends to see the house in the fifties and sixties.
Sorry, I seem to have answered your question with more questions, lol.

Your posts are great gracelandgirl! (y) I appreciate you sharing this with me :)

I can certainly imagine being caught up in the moment ~ it must've been wonderful :) I don't know about the recreation center but if I come across that in any of the books I'm reading, I'll be sure to share it with you (y)

[gracelandgirl]

Thanks Vissie (y)

It's my pleasure to share info and my memories of my trip - (my family are getting a little fed up of hearing them after 4 years! :blush: )

I will go through my books and scrapbooks and see what I can find too. I look forward to hearing any info you find(y)

[Vissie]

Thanks Vissie (y)

It's my pleasure to share info and my memories of my trip - (my family are getting a little fed up of hearing them after 4 years! :blush: )

I will go through my books and scrapbooks and see what I can find too. I look forward to hearing any info you find(y)

I'd love to hear any stories you care to share (y) It's a pleasure talking with you :) http://sunny.zandalea.biz/five.gif

[Elvis 1972]

In a book that I have, it says that "A tornado destroyed fifteen residential blocks of Tupelo, but it missed the Presley's home by about a mile. It was reported that 212 people were killed and over 500 were injured."

Rita

[Vissie]

In a book that I have, it says that "A tornado destroyed fifteen residential blocks of Tupelo, but it missed the Presley's home by about a mile. It was reported that 212 people were killed and over 500 were injured."

Rita

How lucky we are the Presley's weren't harmed. Bless the hearts of those that perished.