Graceland Gates--Still The Same?? [Archive]

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Tony Trout

01-03-2008, 08:17 AM

Are the front gates at Graceland the same ones that have been there since 1957? The reason I ask is cuz I thought (or maybe dreamed) that they've been possibly replaced once or twice since the original installation??

Diane

01-03-2008, 08:19 AM

I've heard they were replaced a couple of times too Tony.

Diane

Lonniebealestreet

01-03-2008, 08:28 AM

For some reason I am thinking they were at least repaired but perhaps replaced some time in recent years, but I don't remember what the story was there. :hmm:

Tony Trout

01-03-2008, 08:35 AM

I've heard they were replaced a couple of times too Tony.

Diane

For some reason I am thinking they were at least repaired but perhaps replaced some time in recent years, but I don't remember what the story was there. :hmm:

I've emailed EPE to find out the story...I'll let y'all know what they say.

Donut

01-03-2008, 08:38 AM

For some reason I am thinking they were at least repaired but perhaps replaced some time in recent years, but I don't remember what the story was there. :hmm:

Wasn´t it repaired because Elvis crashed his car against them to open them sometime? LOL I´ve read that story somewhere, who was in charge to open them didn´t hear him call or something like that.

Tony Trout

01-03-2008, 08:41 AM

Wasn´t it repaired because Elvis crashed his car against them to open them sometime? LOL I´ve read that story somewhere, who was in charge to open them didn´t hear him call or something like that.

There's also the famous Jerry Lee Lewis incident in November of 1976 where The Killer ran his car into the gates....

Diane

01-03-2008, 08:42 AM

Yes, I was thinking of the Jerry Lee incident too. :) Let us know what you find out Tony.

Diane

Tony Trout

01-03-2008, 08:43 AM

Yes, I was thinking of the Jerry Lee incident too. :) Let us know what you find out Tony.

Diane

I'll be sure to do that, Diane. :)

john carpenter

01-03-2008, 09:17 AM

I never heard of them being replaced or repaired,but the video on you tube in 1957 shows the gates being red instead of white as they are now.But Jerry Lee Lewis did crash into them in 1976,while trying to get Elvis to come out"so he could shoot him.But i would love to find out if they have ever been replaced,and if so what happened to the original ones?

EP75

01-03-2008, 09:20 AM

No the gates are not the same. They were replaced back in the late 80's when a truck crashed into them and knocked own part of the front wall entrance. Fans were seen in the street stealing bricks for momentos. It made world news even. In fact the whole wall holding them together is new. The only original part of the wall is the front (where fans sign their names) and sides.

Tony Trout

01-03-2008, 10:51 AM

I just got a rather terse reply from a lady at the Archives department about the gates.....

Like I told you last week Tony, I’m still a Ma’am and don’t plan on becoming a Sir.
They have remained the same. They are repainted from time to time and once some years ago we
sent them to be repaired and refurbished at the Ornamental Metal Museum here in Memphis.
But they are the same gates.

Archives

So...according to this (EP75) they are the same gates...and you can correct me if I'm wrong but that vehicle crashing into the wall at Graceland happened in this decade and not the 1980s, IIRC.

FYI: It seems to me that this lady (whoever she is) needs an attitude adjustment or a lesson on how to deal with questions from the fans....I asked a question last week and she replied and gave me the same kind of "smartypants" attitude.....

Diane

01-03-2008, 11:11 AM

Thanks Tony for the information on the gates. That lady does need an attitude adjustment and shouldn't be in the capacity to take calls from anyone.:)

Diane

presley31

01-03-2008, 11:13 AM

cameron

01-03-2008, 11:23 AM

I just got a rather terse reply from a lady at the Archives department about the gates.....

FYI: It seems to me that this lady (whoever she is) needs an attitude adjustment or a lesson on how to deal with questions from the fans....I asked a question last week and she replied and gave me the same kind of "smartypants" attitude.....
:lol::lol::lol:
Sorry, Tony. I must have gotten the same person when I asked about "the talking heads." I reported her smart a$$ attitude .

EP75

01-03-2008, 11:49 AM

I just got a rather terse reply from a lady at the Archives department about the gates.....

So...according to this (EP75) they are the same gates...and you can correct me if I'm wrong but that vehicle crashing into the wall at Graceland happened in this decade and not the 1980s, IIRC.

FYI: It seems to me that this lady (whoever she is) needs an attitude adjustment or a lesson on how to deal with questions from the fans....I asked a question last week and she replied and gave me the same kind of "smartypants" attitude.....

Well maybe theya re the same gates and they repaired them AFTER the wreck. There have been two wrecks into the gates and wall since EP died. the one I mentioned and the most recent one about 3 years ago when it was icy weather.

I have learned from experience with EPE that they will tell the fans what THEY want the fans to know and not always the truth. When I was last at Graceland they told us everything in the house was original from carpet to curtains. We all know now that that is not true at all. That is not EP's original carpet in the living room for one thing. And the curtains are copies of the original. Not even the same fabric. So whenever EPE writes or posts some bogus reply I take it with a very strong grain of salt. They are a corporation now and not a fan club.

About her attitude, I know what you mean. I have had my share of rudeness from them. But hey what do you expect? It's EPE.

Tony Trout

01-03-2008, 06:28 PM

Ok...here's some actual pictures (courtesy of a boardie at FECC) taken of the gates in 1984 and 2007...you be the judge...

cameron

01-03-2008, 06:42 PM

Don't know. According to that first picture ....it's just been repaired ??

Diane

01-03-2008, 06:46 PM

Hard to distinguish the differences from the different angle of the pictures other than the obvious damage on the one on the left. The only thing I think I see is that in the picture on the left, the legs seem a little farther apart, a little thicker and there is more of a bend on the left knee.

Diane

thehillbillycat

01-03-2008, 07:07 PM

The gates are original and only been repaired. I have several photos in magazines that tells about the gates. They have only been repaired six times but they are the original gates. Elvis crashed the gates three times, Jerry Lee Lewis crashed into them once, and three other crashes happened after Elvis passed away. Each time they have been repaired. The only things that isn't original is one not and part of the cage which as you see in the photo on the left has two holes in it. Also, in the 60s the top part of the gate was bent downward after several fans was trying to jump over them.

Suzan

01-03-2008, 09:03 PM

They have been repaired during Elvis' lifetime and in recent years taken down and repaired due to some sort of motor accident on EPE BLVD.. I don't think they've been replaced, just repaired.

Getlo

01-03-2008, 09:12 PM

FYI: It seems to me that this lady (whoever she is) needs an attitude adjustment or a lesson on how to deal with questions from the fans....I asked a question last week and she replied and gave me the same kind of "smartypants" attitude.....

I like her style! :)

utmom2008

01-03-2008, 10:29 PM

Suzan

01-04-2008, 12:41 AM

Fan "relations" have not been the same since Jenny & Patsy left.:(

Getlo

01-04-2008, 12:50 AM

Diane.....you must be great at the "Where's Waldo" books! :D:D

Have any of you got the Where's Elvis book? It's brilliant.

Diane

01-04-2008, 08:24 AM

No Getlo, never heard of that book but sure would like to see it. Thanks for sharing.

I do like looking at photos and seeing if I can spot differences. I like anything that makes the eyes and brains work.....keeps me from going senile. :lol:

Diane

utmom2008

01-04-2008, 10:45 AM

Have any of you got the Where's Elvis book? It's brilliant.
I have heard of that one,,,but I have never seen one. What year did that come out?

utmom2008

01-04-2008, 10:46 AM

.

I do like looking at photos and seeing if I can spot differences. I like anything that makes the eyes and brains work.....keeps me from going senile. :lol:

Diane

I hear ya on that one! I hate it when my 4 year old great nephews are faster at it than me...:lol:

Diane

01-04-2008, 11:48 AM

I didn't read the caption under the title Where Is Elvis so I'm not as observant as I want to be.:) I bet it's a hoot to read though.:)

Diane

elvisville

01-04-2008, 12:59 PM

Have you found him yet ??

utmom2008

01-04-2008, 01:35 PM

Have you found him yet ??
:lol::lol: No......but I will let you know as soon as I do. (y)

Diane

01-04-2008, 01:43 PM

I may have found him but can't get a clear enough pic to be sure. Check out the 5th figure going up from the line that starts at the bottom right corner.

Diane

utmom2008

01-04-2008, 01:45 PM

I may have found him but can't get a clear enough pic to be sure. Check out the 5th figure going up from the line that starts at the bottom right corner.

Diane
I have to agree...I think that may very well be him. (y) Good job.(y)

alstrada

01-07-2008, 12:42 PM

http://webbuilder.hostbasket.com/siteimages/30156/graceland50.jpg

First Gates ??

Suzan

01-07-2008, 05:59 PM

http://webbuilder.hostbasket.com/siteimages/30156/graceland50.jpg

First Gates ??

I have that pic as well and have wondered why they are red? I was told these gates were the one's that went up shortly after Elvis bought the estate, yet in pics w/Elvis (granted they are black and white) no mention is made that they are red.

Thanks Al for posting.:):)

ROF Getlo, I've not seen that book, heard of it, but not seen it, how is it?