The Evolution of Elvis Presley's Beloved Graceland Estate (2023)

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1957: Buying Graceland

Elvis Presley purchased Graceland in 1957 for $102,500. The singer, whose celebrity and success had skyrocketed the year prior, promptly moved into the mansion and made Memphis, Tennessee, his home base.

1957: A Historic Home

The extensive property was built in 1939 and was once owned by a prominent Memphis family, the Toofs. The name Graceland was an ode to Grace Toof Ward.

1957: A Not-So-Merry Christmas

While Elvis was celebrating Christmas at Graceland, the singer received his draft notice for the Korean War. Elvis earned one service deferment so he could finish filming the movie King Creole.

1958: Deployed Overseas

While Elvis was deployed in Germany, his parents Vernon and Gladys Presley lived at Graceland without him and his mother sadly died at the estate. The star was issued a temporary leave of service to attend the funeral in Memphis.

1960: Returning Home From War

While serving for two years, Elvis rose to the rank of sergeant. In 1960, he returned to Graceland, where he lived with his father, grandmother, and friends.

1960: A House Fit for The King

The house on the Graceland estate is a Colonial revival stone-laid mansion fitted with tall white columns. Inside the 17,552 square-foot-home is 23 rooms, including eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and five staircases.

1960: The King's Personal Touches

One of the more famous personal touches Elvis made to the estate was the music gates he installed at the front entrance. The King of Rock 'n' Roll added the eccentric entrance two months before he even moved onto the property.

1960: A Home for His Cars

From his pink Cadillac to his 1973 Stutz Blackhawk, Elvis was quite a car enthusiast and turned to his expansive Memphis property to house his collection. They remained in his private collection after his death, and many are available to view today at the Presley Motors Automobile Museum.

1967: The Newlyweds at Graceland

1968: Home of the Presleys

Elvis installed a stained glass window above the front door of the house to welcome visitors to their home, which featured the letter "P" surrounded by red roses.

1968: Bringing Lisa Marie Home

Nine months after their wedding day, Lisa Marie Presley was born. The couple, who endured a trial separation during the pregnancy, brought their daughter home to Graceland together in 1968.

1968: The Famous Swimming Pool

Another iconic element of Graceland is the swimming pool and wide surrounding patio. The wacky shape of the pool made headlines, as it very closely resembles a kidney bean.

1968: Filling the Barn

Elvis was a prolific rider throughout his life and loved horses. The estate had a large barn when he purchased it, but it wasn't until the late '60s that the singer began filling the stalls with various equines. Because the singer's favorite horse was a Palomino, to this day the estate always has a Palomino in the barn.

1969: Growing Up at Graceland

For the first four years of her life, Lisa Marie lived at Graceland. After her parents divorced, Priscilla and Lisa Marie moved to Los Angeles and the young child split her time between California and Tennessee until her father's death.

1970: Outside the Gates

While preparing for a motorcycle ride around the neighborhood, Elvis stops for an admiring fan who wanted to catch a glimpse of the singer.

1971: Elvis Presley Blvd.

The street Graceland is located on was renamed from Highway 51 South to Elvis Presley Boulevard in 1971 by the City Council of Memphis.

1977: Elvis Presley's Death

The singer lived on the property until his death on August 16, 1977, when he was found unconscious inside Graceland after suffering a heart attack. He was only 42 years old. After his passing, Elvis's daughter, Lisa Marie, was named the sole beneficiary of the estate.

1977: Mourning Fans at Graceland

When the news of Elvis's death hit, thousands of grieving fans traveled to Graceland and swarmed his famous music note gates.

1977: Laid to Rest on the Estate

Elvis was buried in the Meditation Garden on the grounds of Graceland. His mother was moved to a plot next to him and, two years later, his father joined them when he passed away. In order to preserve the gravesite, Elvis's estate must employ 24 hour security.

1981: A First Glimpse Inside

Documentary crews were welcomed onto the Graceland estate to film This Is Elvis in 1981. It was the first time the public was given an intimate look at the property.

1981: A Formal Tour

While touring the house for the documentary, Elvis's friend Jerry Schilling gave viewers a look at the singer's extensive gold record collection.

1982: Becoming a Memorial Museum

In 1982, Priscilla Presley announced that Graceland would open to the public as a memorial museum for the late singer. Priscilla was given control of Elvis Presley Enterprises after Elvis's father's death in 1979, which she held until Lisa Marie turned 25.

1982: Preserving Elvis's Legacy

When Priscilla became the chairman of Elvis's estate, she was faced with a serious financial crisis, as expenses were too high and income was declining. Under her leadership, the value of the late singer's estate improved and reached more than $75 million.

1983: Preserved and Private

While the rooms on the lower level as well as the outer buildings on the estate, like the barn, are available for public viewing, the top level remains private for Lisa Marie and her family.

1984: Adding to the Grounds

The singer's private jet, The Lisa Marie, was returned to the Presley family in 1984 and now resides on the property at Graceland. The Convair 880 jet is one of the many popular luxury items fans flock to the museum to see.

1999: A Tourist Destination

Currently, Graceland is one of Memphis's top tourist destinations and accepts more than 600,000 tourists a year.

1999: A Memorial From Fans

As a tribute to The King, fans leave messages and signatures on the stone wall surrounding the Graceland property.

2002: The Living Room

Graceland has become a tourist attraction, not only because it was Elvis's home, but because of the eccentric decor. The living room contains stained glass windows with peacocks framing the piano.

2002: A Peak Inside Graceland

Another area of Graceland that's open to the public is a long hallway plated with Elvis's golden records.

2002: Lisa Marie's Bedroom

Didn't every little girl want a fuzzy bed gowing up? Lisa Marie Presley was lucky enough to have one in her room at Graceland, which fans can see on a tour of the house.