Graceland
began as the 500-acre Memphis farm of S.E. Toof, a pressman for The Memphis
Daily Appeal during the era of the Civil War. Toof’s daughter Grace, inherited
the property, and other members of the family named it Graceland. Grace Toof’s
niece, Ruth Moore, eventually inherited the land and, in 1939, her husband built
the home that’s now known as Graceland Mansion. Because Ruth and her husband,
Dr. Thomas D. Moore, wanted to encourage their daughter to mature as a musician,
the rooms of the mansion were designed with superior acoustics.
The
daughter, Rith Marie, who began practicing at the age of four, did not
disappoint them. She became the principal harpist for the Memphis Symphony
Orchestra.
When
Elvis bought Graceland, he installed two swimming pools and stables. The
property was already abundant in trees and foliage, but were added to insure
further privacy.
When
21-year-old Elvis Presley purchased Graceland in 1957, the music gates were not
a part of the property. Designed for Elvis by Abe Saucer and custum-built by
John Dillars, Jr., of Memphis Doors, Inc., they were added later that year.
Today, many visitors pass through the gates on their way up the main drive or
they gaze between the bars to catch a glimpse of the mansion without realizing
that thet are a significant, even symbolic, part of Elvis lore.While
Elvis was alive, fans often gathered at the gates, hoping to see him as he drove
through. To this day, countless snapshots circulate among fans that Elvis
driving through the gates-sometimes smiling, sometimes waving. At times, Elvis
rode one of his horses or his golf cart down to the gates to greet the fans
personally and sign autographs. These visits to the gates became a way for Elvis
to meet fans in a controlled situation.
Fans
also enjoyed chatting with the guards stationed in the small guardhouse just
inside the gates. Elvis’ family members were often employed as guards,
including his uncle Vester Presley, who worked as head guard for over 20 years,
beginning in 1957. Sometimes Vester entertained the fans tourists with stories
of his famous nephew, or he obligingly posed with them for a photo or two.
Meeting
at the gates became a bonding experience for many fans, who struck up
acquaintanceships and even close friendships over the years. The gates continue
to serve this role each year during Tribute Week, when fans from all over the
world gather in Memphis to commemorate Elvis’ death.
TCB Logo
A
huge white lightning bold outlined in yellow blazes across the wall of the TV
Room on the lower floor of Graceland. The lightning bolt represents a part of
Elvis’ trademark and motto – “Takin’ Care Of Business in a Flash.”
Most often, the motto “Takin’ Care of Business” is represented by the
initials TCB pierced by a lightning bolt. This is the version rendered on the
tail of the Lisa Marie jetplane, on his tonbstone, and on the necklages given to
Elvis’ closest cohorts. The famous ring worn by Elvis features the letters TCB
framed by two lightning bolts.
For
the wall of the TV Room, the initials have been excluded in favor of a simple
design that recalls the bright colors and bold patterns of the early 1970’s. A
slang phrase from the late 1960’s, “Takin’ Care of Business” was adopted
by Elvis around 1970 as a slogan for him and his organization.
Many
stories, embellished over time, have been handed down by members of his
entourage, the Memphis Mafia, explaining why the lightning bolt was added.
The design for the logo may have been worked out by Priscilla and Elvis
during a plane trip.
When
Elvis purchased and converted a Convair 880, which he dubbed the Lisa Marie, for
his personal use, he had succeeded in creating an almost enclosed world. With
the heavily customized jet as his disposal, he could literally move from behind
the high walls of Graceland to the stage of his next concert and not encounter
an unfamiliar face. Elvis’ master bedroom on the Lisa Marie boasted a
queen-size bed and a bathroom with golden fixtures. Like his private bedroom
suite at Graceland, the area was off limits to anyone except certain members of
the Elvis entourage and then by invitation only. The Lisa Marie was on call 24
hours a day and stood ready to depart at a moment’s notice.
Elvis
purchased the plane on April 18, 1975 for $250,000. He named the plane “Lisa
Marie” after his daughter and had the registration number changed to N 880 EP.
Tower
call name was “880 Echo Pappa”
Nickname
was “Hound Dog One”
Elvis
called the plane “The pride of Elvis Presley Airways”
Elvis
also jokingly refered to it as his “Flying Graceland”