Introduction
Little-Known Facts About Graceland That May Surprise You
Graceland, the legendary home of Elvis Presley in Memphis, Tennessee, is one of the most visited private residences in the United States—second only to the White House. Every year, hundreds of thousands of fans flock to the estate to pay tribute to the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. But beyond the velvet ropes and iconic Jungle Room lies a treasure trove of surprising facts that many fans have never heard.
One little-known fact is that Graceland wasn’t originally built for Elvis. The mansion was constructed in 1939 by Dr. Thomas Moore and his wife Ruth, who named it after Ruth’s aunt, Grace. Elvis purchased the home in 1957 for just over $100,000 at the age of 22—at the peak of his early fame.
Though known as a symbol of Elvis’s extravagant lifestyle, Graceland also functioned as a surprisingly private retreat. Despite the fame, Elvis often confined himself to only a few key rooms in the house—including the kitchen, which remained fully operational 24/7 to accommodate his unpredictable sleep and eating habits.
Many fans are unaware that Elvis’s parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley, also lived on the estate, and that Vernon continued to live there even after Elvis’s death in 1977. A secret office in the basement was where Vernon handled much of Elvis’s business affairs.
Graceland was also home to a remarkable number of animals. Elvis loved horses and kept a small stable on the grounds, which is still in operation today. At one point, he also owned peacocks and a chimpanzee named Scatter, whose mischief reportedly included drinking whiskey and causing chaos around the house.
Perhaps most surprisingly, Graceland is a final resting place not just for Elvis, but also for his parents, his grandmother Minnie Mae, and his daughter Lisa Marie Presley. Their graves form the serene Meditation Garden, which serves as a quiet sanctuary for reflection.
These lesser-known insights into Graceland reveal a side of Elvis Presley that goes beyond the rhinestones and spotlight—a man of deep family ties, quirky habits, and a love for simple pleasures.