Graceland – Memphis’ Favorite Mansion
As a staple for any visitor to Memphis, the Graceland Mansion is both beautiful, intriguing, and most commonly known as the house of famous American actor and singer Elvis Presley. The famous American singer stayed in this house from 1957 to 1977 and changed the look and feel of the house, AND the region.
Originally designed with an understated southern flair, from the initial looks of it, the Graceland mansion was a fancy upper middle class house, but certainly a far cry from a fancy home we associate with modern world celebrities, even in the 1950s.
So how did this house on a hill attract the attention of one the biggest singers of all time?
In this article, we will cover a brief history of this beautiful mansion coupled with some pictures.
B.E. (Before Elvis)
Contrary to popular belief, the original house was not actually built by Elvis. A couple named Thomas and Ruth Moore built it in 1939 and named it “Graceland” in honor of a family member. One of the main highlights of this mansion is the beautiful view you get of a hilltop. At the time of the civil war, this piece of land was actually a part of an agricultural farm. Jody Cook, an architectural historian described the Graceland mansion as a two-story, five bay residence.
The two-story represents the height of the building while the five is the width or the 5 main doors of the building. The windows of the mansion are bound to catch your attention – they are huge! Over the years it passed from multiple owners, until 1950, when the house was expanded and used by a church.
Elvis Moves In
In 1957, Elvis Presley purchased it from YMCA. It cost him a little over 102,000 dollars at that time. He really liked the house but it was not even close to his specifications. He quickly began renovating the house, adding another 7,000 square feet to the mansion.
This expansion came in the form of new rooms, racquetball court, huge iron gates which resembled the shape of a guitar, pink Alabama fieldstone wall, etc.
Big Changes
Elvis lived in the house for some 20 odd years and throughout his stay, he made many amendments to the mansion. In 1974, just three years before his death, he renovated the music room and the living room. Large wall mirrors, which were custom and handmade, were added to the room. The entrance to the music room was also added with huge glass structures. In the same year, Elvis created the pool room. This room was for a recreational purpose and had this huge pool table. The walls of the pool room are covered with pleated paisley fabric.
It is not really known but we can tell from the Jungle Room in Graceland Mansion that Elvis loved nature. This room has indoor waterfalls and natural stone walls. Elvis used to spend his free time in this room.
No celebrity house is complete without a pool. Elvis also had one. He made a kidney-shaped swimming pool, which was just attached to the music room. Although he hardly swam in it looks beautiful.
The grave of Elvis Presley along with some close family members is also at the Graceland Mansion. Elvis died in the year 1977 and this house was open to the public in 1982 after being listed as one of the historic places.
Today the Graceland Mansion is one of the most visited homes in the United States – second only to the great White House.
