History and pictures of Elvis Presley’s birthplace in Tupelo, where the rock star was born on January 8th, 1935 in poor conditions.
Vernon Presley borrowed $ 180 from his employer to build a house. Vernon’s father Jesse and his brother Vester helped build the two bedroom house.
The building, also known as Shotgun House in the USA, was part of a typical settlement of the poor American lower class, to which the Presleys also belonged. How poor the family really was is shown by the fact that the house did not even have glass windows. In winter the windows were boarded up to keep the warmth in the building.
Birthplace floor plan
The two available rooms were very spartan. There was a bedroom with 2 double beds, as well as the kitchen with a closet, a tiny sink and a small kitchenette. At least there was a small toilet that could be reached from the kitchen through a door.
Presley family lived in Elvis’ birthplace for three more years until Vernon Presley lost his job and the The remaining debt that was originally unable to repay $ 180.
The family moved several more times within Tupelos until Elvis turned 13 and the decision was made to move to Memphis because of the prospect of better job opportunities.
The Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum, located on the outskirts of Tupelo, was renovated and expanded in 2007 for a quarter of a million dollars, largely from donations
In addition to the house where he was born, visitors can also visit a museum and the “First Assembly of God” church, where Elvis first came into contact with gospel music as a child
