TUPELO, Mississippi: What We Found In The City Where Elvis Was Born 

I have lived in Tupelo since 1987. You gave a good view of Tupelo in general, especially downtown. You missed a good Elvis site, Johnnie’s Drive Inn, near the birthplace. It still looks the same as it did when Elvis was growing up. They have a photo of Elvis sitting in one of the booths. You can sit in that booth and eat a Jonnie’s original dough burger. When you talk to people from this area you hear so many stories about Elvis.

Wow Tupelo has matured quite a bit since I left in 2003. It’s a great place to live and visit with many places to eat and things to do. Just be careful driving through some of the neighborhoods on the south side. The crime can be rampant in certain areas. I was a Police officer here for several years before getting severely injured while on duty. I moved back west to get my daughter some help with her autism and to get away from the high humidity and the snaky creatures that lurk in the woods. I wish you had gone up north and filmed around the Barnes Crossing mall, Wal Mart, Home Depot, the theaters, Sams club etc. Tupelo has the nicest people in the world. Very friendly folks and fantastic doctors at the NMMC. Great video. I now live in extreme eastern Oregon now. No snakes or humidity here but the people aren’t near as friendly or outgoing. God Bless Tupelo Mississippi…..

There will never be anyone else like Elvis, i am 76 and still love listening to him, i dont watch him a lot my blood pressure would blow up. 😘

I was born and raised in and around Tupelo. I'll admit that this is one of the nicer towns in the state. They tore down the old fair ground where Elvis performed his legendary homecoming concert. The old garment factory building where Elvises mother worked is still standing and serves as an antique mall.

Simply the greatest no one comes close to Elvis , forever and ever and ever and ever and ever ! Great video.. thanks

Another nice little travelogue. I like your simple and relaxed style, very enjoyable to watch.

My grandparents were from Tupelo and they saw Elvis perform here early in his career at the old fairground. I have lived here for 35yrs. This is the only place that feels like home to me and I love Tupelo. Wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Tupelo is a beautiful place to live, clean, has everything to offer, and it is surrounded by woods and nature.

Thanks for exploring my city 🌆 and yes I love it tupelo has come a long ways I'm originally from okolona Ms but I been living in tupelo for several years and I love it lot of jobs and ex. It's more to see in tupelo I have lived in many states but I've always come back home 🏠 Tupelo will be even bigger and better ten years from now

Tupelo looks so nice and well cared for.

As an 83 year old life-long devoted Elvis fan who grew up in South Africa, I never knew about the humble beginnings of that great supremely talented man. Instead I believed he came from a comfortable middle class home like Graceland! Wow! He slept in the same bed with his parents? That would have been fun and possibly explains why he has no siblings! Elvis's life story is to me a wonderful inspiring example of how a person is able to escape poverty and rise to become a mega star, and never abandon the good upbringing by his religious and fundamentally decent parents.

I drove through Tupelo last month and I was impressed, also. There is a lot of civic pride. The northeast section of Mississippi seems to be doing better economically than other parts of the state.

Thanks for this video! As a huge Austrian Elvis fan I've always wanted to go there. It's still on my list!

I was born in Tupelo. I returned in my late teens and spent most of my twenties there. I have a lot of great memories of Ballard Park, the tennis courts on Joyner, and working in the Barnes Crossing Mall (quite a nice mall). Tupelo has no shortage of nice places to eat. I ate at Forklift late last year and it was excellent. I made so many great friends in Tupelo, most of whom I’ve lost touch with. My first serious girlfriend I met in Tupelo as well. I have a lot of great memories there and will always have a soft spot for that place.

I'm from Tupelo. The reason there were no trees in that neighborhood is because that was government housing. It looked like you were on Ida Street. That used to be low income apartment buildings. Those houses you saw were a new initiative to change the dynamic of the neighborhood. There was also a police department built on it.

I was born here and my family there all lived within a few blocks of Elvis' birthplace. As you were turning on to main street you drove past the church we attended, my cousin's music store and the local BBQ joint (Johnnie's) we ate at as kids. My uncle owned the local grocery store at the time. We used to walk to Elvis' birthplace to play in the little playground behind the house. This was long before it was a tourist destination, it was just a tiny park then.. My grandmother was a teacher at Lawhon Elementary where Elvis went to school but said she never taught him or at least didn't remember him. Our family plot in Priceville Cemetery is immediately adjacent to the Presley family plot and several of my relatives including my grandmother are buried there. Elvis's twin brother is still there as they were never able to actually find his body since it was not buried properly or marked adequately. Elvis was not an uncommon name in the area BTW, the fellow who drove the bus that went by her house that we rode was also named Elvis and I knew several Elvises over the years. You missed the boat by not eating at Johnnie's Drive-In which has a legit claim to having been patronized by Elvis. They have decent BBQ and the place has charm that goes beyond barking about Elvis. I eat there whenever I am in town, which isn't very often since I no longer live in the area.

So glad I discovered your videos. I like how you take the time to actually do a walk about and visit all areas of the cities and towns. Good job.

Awesome you’re hitting places in Mississippi. Lived in tupelo my whole life about 10 minutes from downtown. Only complaint for me is how hot and humid it gets in the summer, and how cold it gets in the winter. Not often you get an in between!

Thank you for this wonderful video....showing where precious Elvis was born! And showing the world that Mississippi has painted houses and food besides watermelon! Tupelo has expanded so much that the once small towns that surrounded it in the country, are now suburbs. North Mississippi is a great, safe place. So glad you enjoyed it. Sadly, my hometown is Jackson, MS. It is now the murder capital of the U.S. and most residents live in Madison County(north of Hinds county/Jackson. I haven't lived in Jackson since childhood, but cried when I drove thru town a few years ago. I remember it when it was an elegant Southern town. Stay safe on the road and bless you for this video. (The Delta is very crime-ridden! Don't go back there unless you are going to Tunica!)✌️❤️🙏

Fascinating City, I'm surprised with green 🌲 trees in Tupelo, extremely happy seeing......

The neighborhood area (Ida St.) with no trees there was built within the last 5 years or so. That area used to be nothing but lower income apartment complexes, so it was mostly concrete.

Tupelo is a beautiful city, thanks to some great mayors over the years. Like other fallen cities in this state, when we get the wrong mayor, she will fall, too. That's why cities fail. Thay get leadership that would rather see a city fail than make progress. We have a great hospital and medical system, which wasn't covered. Lots of lovely neighborhoods and historical areas. Come back anytime!!! Thanks for visiting us and saying nice things about us!!!!!

Born and raised in Tupelo and was shocked to have learned so much. Well done, thanks for doing this.

My Dad was born in Tupelo, MS, in 1931. I asked my Dad if he knew Elvis Presley, but he indicated that he didn’t. I wish I had visited my Dad’s family, and homestead, but I don’t even know the name of the street the family lived. Thanks for showing so much of the city. I can only imagine what it was like when my Dad was a child.

I worked at Reed's across from the Hardware store. You totally missed the Elvis memories there. His mom worked for Reed's manufacturing. There are huge photos on the walls, seats from the balcony he sat in at the movies at the Lyric and much more. I hate you didn't see it because every tour bus brings everyone in to see those things.

Not finished with your video yet, but I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to show us around Mississippi, and where Elvis was born etc!

I was at the show in 1956 in Tupelo, Ms. It was at the fair grounda.

Been watching your videos since about the Wyoming postings and it’s been a pleasure watching the other USA sojourn videos. It has been a very enjoyable way to vicariously do something I want to do, and that is to see the country. I want to commend you on the straight forward approach you take. I wish you and “the wife” a peaceful rest of your journey.

I was born in Tupelo and lived there until I was 7 when my Dad sold the fabric business he owned with his brother (Hancock Fabrics) and we moved to Florida. I still have a lot of kin folk in the area. This was nice to watch. Thank You!

I hope you enjoyed my home city of Tupelo! We welcome everyone to our city!

Your videos are a great new find. Appreciate that you take time to research what you're filming. I learn something new with each video. Technically, the quality of your videos from the moving car are top notch, too! Thanks!

I use to go to Tupelo as a kid every year to visit my grandmother and cousins. It's grown alot sense I've been there.

nice video Joe, thanks for this, very cool learning so much about Elvis. You must have been devastated when he passed away, a lot of people were. Happy trails!

I love Tupelo. I worked for many yrs there. It's a great big little city. You really did miss several good tourists attractions such as Johnnie's drive in. Elvis surely has helped make this town very profitable. We are proud of this town.very pretty place. A great place to retire. You missed some huge mansions over on the west side. Tupelo has much to offer. Very clean. One of the best medical areas in the country. Hard working people. Hundreds of restaurants. Elvis festival in the summer. Come back yall!! Hope you enjoyed our friendly town. 😊

My great Aunt babysat Elvis before they moved to Memphis. The house does not sit in it's original site. He was a very young child when he moved from here.

I've lived here for 35 years now and it was a great place to raise our two boys. You and Nicole should do a one year follow-up here. You didn't exactly catch us at our best. Also, you could do a one hour special and still not even come close to the historic significance of our town...without even having to mention our favorite son Elvis. Many houses on your frequently referred to "National Register" - some of whom are said to be haunted. In fact, it's spook central. Elvis' still born twin brothers' grave, not one but two very bloody battles in two different wars and the pies d'resistance, a city cemetery, still in use, who had to have bodies exhumed and re-buried in another location, and of course, it was botched. We lost hundreds of people in the 1936 EF5, but we will never know the exact body-count because in 1936, Black residents weren't counted. Think that might lead to the paranormal? Anyhow, my wife and I love your posts and never miss a new one. And to "rufioquin2406" I have lived on Joyner for 23 years.

What an amazing historic preservation..

Y’all are just having a ball, aren’t you!🎉 It was interesting to see the birth place of Elvis. Sometimes being brought up in humble beginnings can forge good character. Happy travels!

YAY!!! Thank you! Love this video. Tupelo looks a lot cleaner than it did in the 80's. Seriously considering moving back after we retire. My husband told me you mentioned Tupelo was next on the list. Wonder how I missed it?

A great video and a very nice city, I never would have thought that. I like The Elvis 68 Comeback Special. I think Biloxi is also very nice. You don't expect this when they tell you how poor Mississippi is. All your videos are good and enjoyable.

I love Elvis too. So exciting to see this. My dad took me to Graceland in '96 and I've been a big fan ever since. Most charismatic man ever.

I always love watching travel channels go to Tupelo. I do find it funny though that they never really leave the downtown/Elvis birth place area especially when the busiest part of town is in the area around the mall. We have one of the only malls in this part of the country, so tons of people in north Mississippi and even northwest Alabama flock to that area every weekend. Let me just say that something that’s usually a 20 minute drive was more like a 2 hour drive around Christmas every year before online shopping became prevalent. So, I really appreciate that you took the time to get outside that main tourist area and see different parts of town. And while you didn’t really get into the main area around the mall you were at least on the outskirts of it at Blue Canoe. Also, while you didn’t really go to the western part of town where most of the nicest houses are, you did just so happen to show the areas/houses that the most famous people from Tupelo (that are still alive) lived. The 2 brothers that make up the rap group Rae Sremmurd while born in California grew up in Tupelo (I got to meet them one time before they got famous). They used to live in that neighborhood that you mentioned didn’t have trees and even mentioned it in a song once: “Came a long way from those Ida Street apartments.” Speaking of that neighborhood, I’ve seen others mention it already but the reason why that area is devoid of trees is because it used to be a bunch of low income apartments. The city leaders in Tupelo have always hated apartments for some reason and many years ago they tore down a bunch of the apartments in that area because the crime in those specific apartments was so bad. It always gives me a bit of whiplash driving by there now because I remember a giant group of apartments hidden behind a gas station and now there’s just a gate that leads to a bunch of tall grass. While the area got better after this and was no longer the worst part of town anymore, the city decided to tear down even more of apartments in that neighborhood years later effectively giving the hundreds that lived there like a year or two to leave and kicked them out. At least this time around though, they actually built something in its place and that’s why the housing there is standardized because it’s cheap. Going back to Rae Sremmurd, they were kicked out by their mom at one point for ditching school to focus on music and they actually took refuge in one of the many abandoned factories just south of downtown (the ones you showed in the video). In case anyone is wondering, yes, they bought their mom a nice house in one of Tupelo’s nicest neighborhoods. And for what it’s worth, one of the old houses you showed in the video belongs to (or maybe used to idk) US senator Roger Wicker. Thank you so much for the video

Thanks for visiting Tupelo, MS. Please come back if you get the opportunity. We would love to have you back.

I was born in and still live and work in Tupelo and I love it. Some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet.

Another great little travelogue. I like your relaxed style, easy to watch & enjoy.

Lovely video..and my fond memories of visiting Tupelo, his birthplace and treasured photos of my travels of Tupelo, Memphis and Graceland ( the wonderful exciting Elvis trip and paying my respects to my much adored and forever in my heart Elvis Presley. Visited Nashville..A wonderful Elvis Presley heartfelt visit.

Thanks you for a GREAT tour of The King's home town! Gonna put a trip there on my bucket list for sure. Love visiting places like this and imagining what it must have been like growing up there.

Nice video of my hometown. Glad you enjoyed.

Most of Mississippi looks nice. Tupelo, Starkville, Oxford, Hattiesburg are all nice little towns. The Mississippi Delta Region is why Mississppi as a State ranks at or near the bottom in most things good and at or near the top in most things bad.

Spent 2 months down south in our motorhome last fall, loved Mississippi and Tupelo in paticular, hardware store was great, reminded me of the old hardware stores when I as young, owner gave us a tour inside, just a great town.

I live in Tupelo Ms & pass by all this stuff all the time & never paid attention to it but it looks pretty cool in your video !

The man The legend The greatest entertainer ever The King Elvis Presley Tupelo what a beautiful place to call the home of the KING 🤴 ❤ FROM N.Z

Thanks for this vid, I made it to Memphis many years ago to Graceland but did not get to Tupelo. Elvis was and is the greatest humanitarian and entertainer of all time! Loving seeing Tupelo!

-I'm from Memphis, Tennessee - that was very, interesting.. I've never been to Tupelo, Mississippi to see Elvis's childhood home, or Graceland, either -Thanks !!!

The neighborhood that you crossed over into at 15:58 is the oldest neighborhood in the city of Tupelo. I live in the neighborhood and my house was built around 1910. The maroon house with the white trimming is one of the few houses in the city of Tupelo that Elvis once lived in.

Fun fact: those guitars scattered throughout were all painted by elementary schools here in Tupelo. I remember one my class did a long time ago too. Been here all my life and we really don't think all that much about Elvis since he's all over the place. It's kinda the norm here lol even the McDonald's on South Gloster with the big golden arches has a timeline of his life throughout his army days and his married life.

The area where you saw the newer houses and "no trees" was re-developed about 2-3 years ago. The land previously had a number of dilapidated apartment buildings and parking lots (and no trees!) The newer housing was developed as "affordable housing" - which was definitely needed in this area. You noticed that much of residential Tupelo has a lot of trees - some of which are fairly large and old. The city also has extensions for University of Mississippi and Itawamba Community college. Housing runs the gamut from small to large homes and inexpensive ones up to mansions.

Just wanting to thank you for the great Tupelo tour.Never had a chance to go there but this tour was almost as good as being there in person. It is a pretty town, and interesting to see all the Elvis memorabilia. I especially liked the painting on the outside wall.. May we always be able to enjoy our memories of Elvis. Long live the king!!!

Downtown Tupelo has really changed in the last 20-30 years. My parents moved to a community just west of town in the late seventies. Rarely went downtown when I visited them. A mall was built downtown around 1988, but before long most of it was converted to an arena for concerts and basketball, etc. Last summer I drove through the area for the first time in decades; it's been transformed. Really like it. of t

hardware stores back in the sixties and seventies where a cool place to go thanks for the memories

Thank you for this beautiful Video. It is amazing to see Elvis' Childhood Home !!! I miss him!!!

People like you keep him update for new fans around the world to this day Elvis Presley Never be forgotten He lives by his fans around the world 100% fact Elvis Presley sold more then any music dead or alive to this day and what yrs is it 2022 wow TCB

Great little video, you missed all the great cafes and bars downtown good eats everywhere.

The street you were talking about is a brand new neighborhood. You showed Tupelo well. Thank you.

I have been to Tupelo a few times. Great town with incredible history. Brices Crossroads National battlefield. Elvis? How can you go wrong.

AWESOME THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE VIDEO ELVIS FAN FOR OVER 50 YEARS THANK YOU I REALLY ENJOYED IT

I am fun of watching...i been learning...you are now my tour guide.👍👍👍

This is my town. I literally live less than 5 miles away from Elvis' home.

I have been a huge Elvis fan since I was a kid and this has been a dream of mine to visit Tupelo.Thanks for sharing this awesome tour around Tupelo and surrou nding suburbs,beautiful town and suburbs Greetings from Australia 👍

My sisters and I were born in Tupelo, and every summer our parents would take us to Dairy Kream and we would get an ice cream cone. Then we would go to the Tupelo Drive-In (not there anymore) and watch a movie. The next time you are in Tupelo, go to Veteran's Park and feed the ducks! It's a blast!!

Really informative Rock and roll evolved when I was born, Elvis, Beatles Stones, led zep etc Thanks for this video

I like your video thanks for sharing

Very nice video of our little town. Tupelo has come a long long way from when I grew up here. The parking lot you were in at the birthplace used to be a public pool lol the down town used to be a 4 lane as well and I want to say about 15 years ago or a little more they made it a two lane and added parallel parking.

Wooow,it's so amazing.thanks for this vedio I know now where is Elvis birthplace, watching from philipines mabuhay!

Thanks for another wonderful presentation.

So true everything you say about Elvis, i was completely taken by him. Thought he was the coolest entertainer ever. My parents had tickets to go see him in Portland Me., and he died just before he was to come to the show. Heartbreaker for sure.

I love those old advertising murals. Whenever I get the chance, I photograph them with my cellphone.

Went there today. That same sign with the same misspelling and the same tear in the paper was still there above the urinals :D

I was born and raised in Tupelo Ms … I mean it’s nice … I’m tired of staying here. Thank you for showing us off 🥺.

Tupelo is nice, sadly so many other small Mississippi towns and small cities are in serious decline

Will bee soo fun too come to this place,👍☀️ thanks for share

Heh, you drove past my parents' old house at 2:45--that's the parsonage for the Methodist church, directly across from the birthplace. They served there for several years--and boy, did they ever have to deal with a lot of tourists parking in their yard, at the key Elvis dates! (And yes, I've swung in Elvis's porch swing many times, although that was long before my parents lived there. It was a bit of an 80s kid tradition: movies -> ice cream cone -> Elvis's swing.)

We decided to take the Natchez Trace up to Nashville to visit our kids. Coming up from the coast, we hit the Trace in Tupelo after spending a day in the town. It is every bit as lovely and interesting as this video would have you believe. We found a great little bakery/coffee shop across from the courthouse for breakfast, had lunch in a downtown restaurant and dinner at the Blue Canoe. Get the Pot Roast and Corn Bread Waffle, shown in this vid. It's amazing. Not the first time I have been to Tupelo but first time I had a chance to just hang out and check out the town for a day.

Thank you for the tour and especially for your appreciation of Elvis Presley,

I hope to visit there when I go to Memphis, see his roots. A musical legend from this Humble small town. The ole Mississippi!

Really beautiful place 👍😍. Thanks 🙏

Great video. I was thinking of movie here. Enjoyed it very much.

Born and raised in tupelo but more so in the country.. this guy knows way more about tupelo than i do💀

This is really good!!!! Well done! Well done!!

thank you so very much Joe and Nic i found Elvis birth place

I am watching this from Sweden and I enjoy every single second of your footage. It is an old video but it´s stil new to me! Thank you for taking me on a roadtrip! :) / Sebastian

What a beautiful city and surrounding neighborhoods, sure some abandoned manufactoring plants from years ago but really nice and no buildings falling down. Really nice to see for a change. Awesome video!

My wife and I came up here in our camper in April 2020 for work. In October 2021 we sold our house in Jackson, Ms. and bought just outside of Tupelo. We love it here.

Great Grandma & Grandpa Roper 🌹🌹🌹

Tupelo is one of the best cities in Mississippi. It’s like a Little Memphis or Little Nashville. I use to go there often when I visited my brother and his family in nearby Booneville,MS.

My sister and I were born in tupelo! Sweet town, nice place to visit.

best part i have seen of Mississippi: to date thanks my friend keep up the good work.....

Nice to see Elvis birth place , don't forget to take a moment to listen to John Lee Hooker , Tupalo about the flood , one of the most haunting songs for me .

Tupelo is the first city I saw when I moved to Mississippi over two years ago......I was shocked at how nice of a city it is I was expecting to see a bunch of run down buildings in the country side when I moved here only to find a bustling city I live in Oxford now.

Beautiful town. All the Elvis things make me cry. My father was a big fan and I grow up with the music.

Another excellent video, as usual!