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elvis presley

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lauderdale courts

from elvis presley posted in music by tacopolis

In September of 1949, the Presley family (Vern, Gladys, and Elvis) moved to apartment #328 of the Lauderdale Courts, a low-income housing project in downtown Memphis. The family paid $35.00 a month in rent.

The shy and reticent Elvis would practice guitar in the basement laundry room, meet and play with other musicians in the Courts, listen to records at the Poplar Tunes record store around the corner, and walk down to nearby Beale Street to receive inspiration.

The Presley family lived at the location until 1952 when they were evicted for exceeding the maximum monthly income for residents. After the eviction, the Presley's moved to a boarding house near the Courts at 698 Saffarans Ave for a couple of months.

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lawhon elementary school

from elvis presley posted in music by tacopolis

Elvis Presley went to elementary school at Lawhon Elementary School in Tupelo, MS.

In the second grade, Elvis won second prize at the Mississippi Alabama Fair talent contest where he sang "Old Shep." A teacher had recognized Elvis's talent and organized for him to enter the talent show.

Thanks, teach...

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elvis’s twin brother’s grave

from elvis presley posted in music by tacopolis

Elvis Presley had a twin brother who was stillborn. Jesse Garon Presley was buried in a shoebox in an unmarked grave at the Priceville Cemetery.

Elvis dodged another bullet on the evening of April 5, 1936, when he survived the fourth deadliest tornado in US history that took 233 lives in Tupelo.

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humes high school

from elvis presley posted in music by tacopolis

Although today it is a middle school, from 1930 to 1967 this location was a high school.

Elvis Presley graduated from Humes High School on June 3, 1953.

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elvis’s 1st family home in memphis

from elvis presley posted in music by tacopolis

On September 12, 1948, Mr. and Mrs. Presley moved with their son, Elvis, to this one bedroom apartment in Memphis after leaving Tupelo.

The family lived here until they moved to Lauderdale Courts on September 20, 1949.

The original building is no longer standing. Today, it's a vacant lot.

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