July 2021

Tupelo Mississippi is what’s in your head when you imagine it. Sleepy. Cross the railroad tracks and shotgun style houses line the residential areas. The main street is decorated with all things Elvis Presley, reminding you that he was from here, that he walked these areas, that he dreamed of making his music.

It’s in this area that you’ll find the Tupelo National Battlefield, which is a small square of grass with a memorial marker on it. It was strange to find it across from the main street where you can clearly see a Papa John’s pizza right in front of you.

The real reason Tupelo is visited so much is that it still houses the home of where Presley was born, at the end of the aptly named Elvis Presley Drive. The home and its surroundings are in a large area that houses a park, fountain, the actual church where Elvis attended, statue, and a little museum/gift shop. The birth place is the first stop in the Elvis tour you should do.

The house, actually built by his father, is meticulously recreated with furniture from the era, and shows the simplistic life that Elvis, the survivor of a set of twins, and his parents lived. The relocated church is in the typical Southern style. Elvis learned to play music and was exposed to the Gospel style.

Behind the home is an elevated area with lush grass and steps that take you to another statue and seating areas to admire the views where a young boy played his guitar and dreamed of making music.

Down at the bottom is the reflection pool, a fountain in a man made lake. The crack of baseballs in the field nearby can be heard.

The humble beginnings prepare you for the shocking contrasts of Elvis’ lifestyle after he skyrocketed to fame.

It’s time to leave Tupelo, and the Natchez Trace Parkway is a great way to travel north. Miles of uninterrupted driving with no billboards or traffic signals: just the gold and green trees and the wind.

A quick stop to Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield , the site of a confederate victory during the Civil War.

Next stop: the home of the Blues!