On January 8, 1935, Elvis Presley was born in this small two-room house built by his father just outside of Tupleo, Mississippi. The birthplace is an official Mississippi landmark located in the 15-acre Elvis Presley Park in Tupelo. Before Elvis was born, his father, Vernon, borrowed $180 to purchase the materials to build the house (total cost). Vernon and some of his relatives did the actual construction. Later, after Elvis was born, Vernon was unable to repay the $180 loan and lost the house. The family eventually moved to Memphis. In 1956, the now famous Elvis and his band returned to Tupelo to play at the local fairgrounds. Elvis discovered that his old home still existed and was for sale. Using proceeds from the concert, he bought the house and the surrounding property and donated it to the city of Tupelo to build a park for the kids of his former neighborhood. It's reported that more than 50,000 people visit the birthplace each year.