Along for the ride
Story by Brandi Perry and Dori Lowe Photos by Dori Lowe
There are several beautiful views from the Natchez Trace Parkway .
Tupelo , located an easy two-hour drive north of Meridian , makes for a perfect day trip for those history lovers in your life . Primarily known as the birthplace of Elvis Presley , Tupelo has a wide variety of historic stops , including the Elvis Birthplace , Fair Park , Cultural Trails and the Natchez Trace .
The Elvis Presley Birthplace includes a museum , an Assembly of God chapel like the one the future King of Rock and Roll attended as a child , and the small-framed , modest home Elvis was born in on Jan . 8 , 1935 . His family built the home , paying just $ 180 for the materials . The Assembly Church of God is where Elvis was exposed to the gospel music that not only influenced his life but his songs . A stop at the church will expose visitors to a special service , complete with a visit from past members of the congregation and some old-time preaching and singing .
The Elvis Presley Memorial Chapel is also on site and is a place of meditation , similar to the one Elvis dreamed of having himself . As you leave the museum , make sure to stop by the 1939 Plymouth sedan , which is a replica of the one his family used when they moved to Memphis . For all three attractions , the adult ticket is $ 20 and $ 10 for children . Whether or not you are an Elvis fan , this is a must-see Tupelo attraction that provides an understanding of Elvis ’ life and legacy .
A trip to downtown Tupelo will take you to the nearly 100-year-old Tupelo Hardware Co ., the store known as the place where Elvis ’ 11th birthday present was purchased – his first guitar . As the story goes , Gladys , Elvis ’ mom , took him to the store in January 1945 to buy him a birthday present . Elvis had his eye on a rifle , but his mom succeeded in purchasing his first guitar for $ 7.75 and the rest of the story is literally history . Tupelo has an entire itinerary with 14 significant sites reaching back to Elvis ’ formative years .
Johnnie ’ s Drive-In serves breakfast , lunch and diner , and visitors can eat a tasty meal while sitting in the same booth that Elvis and his friends frequented . Lawhon Elementary School , where Elvis first attended elementary school , had a huge impact on his future , which is explained on a bronze plaque in front of the school .
Tupelo is also home to three cultural trails , the Civil War Trail , Civil Rights Trail and the Chickasaw Trail . Some of the final battles of the Civil War in Mississippi were fought in and around Tupelo .
44 • MERIDIAN LIFE