It's more than just the place Elvis hung his sequined vest. It might be the only colonial suburban home on record to boast a jungle room, a pink Cadillac and over 600,000 guests annually.
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Mar. 27, 2006

Graceland Designated National Historic Landmark

The Memphis mansion Elvis Presley called home (Elvis bought Graceland for his Mother, with his first royalty check) was named a National Historic Landmark today, joining Monticello and less than 2,500 other American buildings. Graceland, built in 1939 as a private residence, was a prayer center when Presley bought the house in 1957. He died in one of its four bathrooms in 1977 and is buried on the 14-acre grounds.

"It didn't take Americans and the rest of the world long to discover Elvis Presley, and it's clear that they will never forget him," said Gale Norton, secretary of the interior, in a statement. "This [designation] is our nation's highest recognition for historic properties. Norton officially designated the house at a ceremony today. The National Park Service selects National Historic Landmarks according to its theme-based studies, and the secretary of the interior makes the final decision. The National Register-listed mansion has been open to the public since 1982. With more than 600,000 visitors a year, Graceland is among the top five most-visited house museums in the country.

Elvis lived in the eight-bedroom mansion for 20 years and died there in 1977 at age 42.