| An amazing and considered to be the largest city in | | | | Although Elvis's family lived above the poverty line, still, |
| Mississippi with a population of nearly 31, 000, a land | | | | his family experienced the hardships. It was during |
| area of 132.456 sq. kilometers, and 160 miles away | | | | those times that Tupelos unemployment rate was |
| from the states capital - the birthplace of the worlds | | | | 25% and the average annual rate of wages was just |
| King of Rock and Roll; Elvis Presley. Just as this | | | | $1,368. |
| humble town shares the many wonders of its history, | | | | The family moved to Memphis in 1948. With Vernon's |
| Elvis has quite dignified it more as he brought honor | | | | new job, the Presley's moved to an apartment located |
| and prestige to this once dirt-poor area. | | | | at 572 Poplar Avenue. Elvis was enrolled at the |
| On January 8, 1935, a baby was born in East Tupelo, | | | | nearby LC Hume's High School. He was still a loner |
| Mississippi. This infant had a twin brother but it was still | | | | during those days. He was often clad in black and |
| born. Therefore, Elvis Presley became the only child of | | | | stood out. He graduated from Hume's High where he |
| Vernon and Gladys Presley. The family had limited | | | | majored in History, English and Shop. |
| resources. Vernon was a truck driver and Gladys was | | | | After graduating, he took a machinist job at the Parker |
| a sewing machine operator. Aside from financial | | | | Shop. But this didn't stop his love for music. Since he |
| troubles, Elvis had emotional and social troubles. | | | | grew up in Memphis, Elvis was exposed to jazz and |
| Originally known as Gum Pond due to its abundant | | | | blues. Where he was working, the Sun Records |
| growth of tupelo trees locally known as sweet gum, | | | | Company was just inches away. Elvis was |
| Tupelo has witnessed the birth and early childhood | | | | determined to find out how his voice sounded when it |
| years of one of the worlds famous celebrity icons. | | | | was recorded. |
| Elvis Presley's birthplace seen the development of this | | | | To hit two birds with one stone, he recorded My |
| young boy, who at an early age had already | | | | Happiness and That's When Your Heartaches Begin |
| developed his talent in singing as he performed his first | | | | to find the answer to his question and to also serve as |
| public performance in a singing contest at the | | | | a belated birthday present for his mom. He didn't |
| Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show. He sang | | | | expect that this would open him to another opportunity; |
| Red Foley's Old Sheep. | | | | stardom. He was signed on at Sun Records Company |
| When Elvis was three years old, Vernon pleaded guilty | | | | later on. |
| in a forgery case which sent him packing to prison. He | | | | Today, Tupelo is now famous as it is recognized as |
| was only there for eight months but this affected | | | | Elvis Presley's birthplace. Tupelo is no longer a symbol |
| Vernon's working life. He would never redeem the | | | | of poverty during the era of the Great Depression but |
| professionalism he once had because of his prison | | | | is now an epitome of Elvis's childhood years. |
| stint. That is why Gladys and little boy Elvis moved in | | | | Hence, various infrastructures were built in Elvis |
| with Vernon's parents. For some reason, the trio | | | | Presley's birthplace which demonstrated the life and |
| managed to live above what was considered the | | | | history of the King of Rock and Roll. In Tupelo, you can |
| poverty line. | | | | see the 350-pound statue of Elvis Presley at 13. Made |
| Also, Elvis was having a hard time with the kids his | | | | of bronze, this statue stands majestically. |
| age. He was shy, reserved, kept to himself and had | | | | Experts say that the Elvis Presley Memorial |
| low self-esteem when he was younger. Kids teased | | | | Foundation, spearheaded by Henry Dodge, decided to |
| him and even threw fruit at him; all of which he ignored. | | | | reflect a 13-year old Elvis Presley because this was |
| He sought solace in music. | | | | the age when he left Tupelo and went to Memphis. As |
| When he was ten, encouraged by his teacher, he | | | | they say, Elvis's most precious 13 years of life had |
| joined a local talent contest on the Children's Day at | | | | been built in Tupelo and nobody can take that fact |
| the Mississippi-Alabama fair. He donned a cowboy suit | | | | away from them. |
| and stood on a chair in order to reach the microphone. | | | | You can also find a remarkable museum which |
| He sang Old Sheep and won second place. He | | | | features most of Elvis's memorabilia. This museum tells |
| received a $5 cash price and free rides. When he | | | | more on Elvis's 13 years in his birthplace. |
| turned 11, he received his first guitar. The following year, | | | | Indeed, with a history as rich and as famous as that of |
| his uncle gave him guitar lessons. | | | | Elvis Presley's, Tupelo will forever be Elvis Presley's |
| During Elvis time, Tupelo was then considered as one | | | | birthplace; a fact that nobody can erase. |
| of the most poverty-stricken places in Mississippi. | | | | |