Memphis was founded in 1820 by John Overton, James Winchester, and Andrew Jackson and was incorporated as a city in 1926. The city was named after the ancient capital of Egypt on the Nile river. Sadly, Memphis is also where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968 at the Lorraine Motel, the day after giving his prophetic "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech at the Mason Temple. (from Wikipedia)
The Elvis Experience
We turned down Elvis Presley Boulevard and into the Elvis Presley Parking Lot. From the parking lot, we crossed a little path bridge into Elvis land. After walking up and down the walkway in front of gift shops, fast food stops, and music stores, we finally had to ask a security person the question most on our mind...Where is Graceland? We just couldn't find it. We knew it was a big house, so why couldn't we see it? Well, it was across the street. So off we went.
Footbridge to the Elvis shops
Elvis Shops
Lisa Marie Airplane (the tail-end)
Graceland
One of the most visited houses in the United States attracting over 600,000 domestic and international visitors a year. Graceland is now a National Historic Landmark.
The House Ok. It's mainly a photo of tree trunks. But, as usual, sightseeing happens after work, and Graceland was closed. However, they hadn't shut the gates yet, so I was able to stand just inside the gate and aim toward the house with my camera. There's Graceland..way back in the hole between the tree trunks.
Brick Fence Surrounding Graceland
Filled with signatures - including mine.
The Sun Record Studio Experience
Where Elvis first recorded "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin". Other famous musicians who got their start at Sun include Johnny Cash, Rufus Thomas, Charlie Rich, Howlin' Wolf Jack, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
After all the play the studio gets on the oldies stations, I was surprised to see what a sad little building it is. Guess not many people are interested in this little spot of tourist land.
Beale Street
Beale Street acted as General Ulysses S. Grant’s headquarters during the Civil War. But, Beale Street’s heyday was in the 1920's, when the area took on a carnival atmosphere and gambling, drinking, prostitution, murder and voodoo thrived alongside the booming nightclubs, theaters, restaurants, stores, pawnshops and hot music. One club, The Monarch, was known as The Castle of Missing Men due to the fact that its gunshot victims and dead gamblers could be easily disposed of at the undertaker’s place that shared their back alley. http://www.bealestreet.com/about.html
The Beale Street website claims this is the Number One tourist attraction in the state of Tennessee. I wonder if it's a bigger attraction than Graceland?
Memphis Walk of Fame - Beale Street
The walk of fame is a public exhibit located in the Beale Street historic district and is modeled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame but is designated exclusively for Memphis musicians, singers, writers, and composers. Honorees include Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Bobby Blue Bland among others.
Bike Night on Beale Street
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