Elvis Presley was one of the richest entertainers in America and during his lifetime, he bought and maintained several properties. Thirty years after his death, Elvis' estates remains as one of the best memorials of his life as a man, musician and entertainer. Here are two of the most famous properties of Elvis Presley that you might want to drop by and visit if you're in Memphis:
Graceland
When it comes to famous Elvis properties, Graceland is the most known worldwide. It is located in Whitehaven in Memphis on Highway 51 along South Bellevue Boulevard, which has since been renamed Elvis Presley Boulevard. Bought by Elvis in 1957, Graceland is nearly 14 acres in area and currently belongs to Lisa Marie, his only daughter.
The Graceland estate was named after Grace Toof, the daughter of former owner S.E. Toof, who was the publisher of the Memphis Daily Appeal. The original Graceland mansion was built in 1939. When Elvis bought the property, it cost him just a little more than $102,000. He made renovations on the original mansion and it grew from just over 10,000 sq. feet to more than 17,500 sq. feet. Elvis, with his parents, lived in Graceland from 1957 until their deaths.
Today, Graceland is a famous landmark, housing many of Elvis' and the Presley's' properties. It is a museum and a showcase of Elvis' numerous awards, car collections and memorabilia. It is also here where the Meditation Garden can be found, the final resting place of Elvis and his parents. Graceland is the site of hundreds of thousands of visits and guided tours each year.
Circle G Ranch
The eternal flame once burned here. Elvis bought the Circle G Ranch when he needed more room for his horses. The pasture in his other property in Graceland was just not enough. Circle G Ranch is 163 acres of land he obtained in 1967 and is just a few minutes away from Graceland. Although it was originally intended to be a place where he could keep horses, Circle G became Elvis' hideaway. Along with his Memphis Mafia buddies, he would spend weeks at a time here, having laid-back fun with his family and friends.
The Circle G is where you'll find the Honeymoon Cottage (Elvis and Priscilla supposedly stayed there after their wedding) and the barbecue pit that Elvis' friends built for him. Elvis sold the ranch in 1970 and an 'eternal flame' was burned there in honor of its famous former owner. The ranch doesn't receive as many visitors as Graceland, which is why the eternal flame was eventually extinguished. With a few more visits from adoring fans, there's no reason why the flame shouldn't burn again.
