Elvis Presley | New Music Gates at Graceland | April 22, 1957

When Elvis Presley purchased Graceland on March 25, 1957, the music gates were not a part of the property and he wasted no time turning it into his own castle. In fact, the gates were installed less than a month later, on April 22.

The gates were designed for Elvis by Abe Saucer and custom built by John Dillars, Jr., of Memphis Doors, Inc., these custom music gates were delivered and installed at Graceland on April 22, 1957.

This was before Elvis or his parents moved into Graceland. The house was being renovated before Vernon and Gladys Presley spent their first night there on May 16, 1957. Elvis, who was filming 'Jailhouse Rock' at the time, didn't spend his first night at Graceland until June 26, 1957, but he visited while the work was in progress. 

In the first two photos below we see Elvis with friend Arthur Hooten (left).

Elvis Presley with Arthur Hooten (far left) at Graceland April 22, 1957.
Elvis Presley with Arthur Hooten (far left) at Graceland April 22, 1957.

Elvis Presley with Arthur Hooten at Graceland April 22, 1957.
Elvis Presley with Arthur Hooten at Graceland April 22, 1957.

Marthy Lacker: We had another big fat guy in the group, Arthur Hooton. He goes all the way back to the mid-fifties. His mother had worked with Gladys at Britling's cafetaria. Arthur was a funny guy - used to do funny stuff. He went on a few trips with Elvis, traveling to Mississippi to do all these little shows. Then, in the late fifties, Elvis just let him go. Arthur was a nice guy, but he was a little strange. Whenever you talked to him, he'd go, 'Yeah'. no matter what you said.

Lamar Fike: Arthur Hooton was another very loyal person. We used to call him 'Arturo van Hooton'. He got a regular job, and got married, and that was it.

Elvis Presley poses at the new Music Gates for press photo, April 22, 1957.
Elvis Presley poses at the new Music Gates for press photo, April 22, 1957.

Elvis Presley poses at the new Music Gates for press photo, April 22, 1957.
Elvis Presley poses at the new Music Gates for press photo, April 22, 1957.

Elvis Presley poses at the new Music Gates for press photo, April 22, 1957.
Elvis Presley poses at the new Music Gates for press photo, April 22, 1957.

Elvis Presley poses at the new Music Gates for press photo, April 22, 1957.
Elvis Presley poses at the new Music Gates for press photo, April 22, 1957.

Elvis signing autographs at the Graceland gates

Fans would often line up and hope to catch the world's most famous entertainer leave or enter those gates. Sometimes he'd sign autographs from behind them, and fans could see him and his family horseback riding on the Graceland property.

Elvis signing autographs at the Graceland gates.
Elvis signing autographs at the Graceland gates.

Elvis signing autographs at the Graceland gates.
Elvis signing autographs at the Graceland gates.

Elvis signing autographs at the Graceland gates.
Elvis signing autographs at the Graceland gates.

The Security Shed / Guardhouse, just inside the Gates

The Security Shed / Guardhouse, just inside the Gates.
The Security Shed / Guardhouse, just inside the Gates.

White Christmas

The Graceland gates in white.
The Graceland gates in white.

The Gates in Red

The Graceland gates in red.
The Graceland gates in red.

Invoice from Tennessee Fabricating Company for Graceland's gates

This is an invoice from Tennessee Fabricating Company for Graceland's gates.
This is an invoice from Tennessee Fabricating Company for Graceland's gates. (Click image to view larger).

This check to Dillard Door is a partial payment for the gates.

This check to Dillard Door is a partial payment for the gates.

Elvis Presley.

Elvis signing autographs at the Graceland gates.
Elvis signing autographs at the Graceland gates.

The Last Farewell

The Last Farewell

The post box

Writing on the Graceland wall today is a tradition that dates back to when Elvis first purchased Graceland. The same thing happened with this mailbox.

The photo below is of the original mailbox that stood outside of Graceland while Elvis lived there. After enough signatures and notes covered the mailbox, it would be repainted.

Writing on the Graceland wall today is a tradition that dates back to when Elvis first purchased Graceland. The same thing happened with this mailbox, which is the original mailbox that stood outside of Graceland while Elvis lived there. After enough signatures and notes covered the mailbox, it would be repainted.

Elvis Presley Photos April 30, 1957 : Bill for Stone Wall Built at the front of Graceland.

Quick Links

Graceland Links

Articles about Elvis Presley Elvis Presley's Graceland
Articles about Elvis Presley Elvis Presley's private Graceland upstairs rooms

Articles about Elvis Presley Elvis Presley's Home Sweet Homes
Elvis Presley Video Elvis Presley's Graceland : The Tour
Elvis Presley Video The Graceland Wall : To Elvis With Love
Articles about Elvis Presley The 'Den' : The Jungle Room
Elvis Presley Video Elvis Presley : Home Movies of Graceland
Elvis Presley Video Drone Footage of Graceland
Elvis Presley Video The Graceland Music Gates
Articles about Elvis Presley 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis Tennessee
Articles about Elvis Presley Visiting Elvis Presley's Graceland
Elvis Presley Photos Elvis Presley : Rising Sun and other Horses at Graceland

Elvis Presley Video Rare Film of Elvis in his car signing autographs at the entrance to Graceland

History

Elvis Presley Video Graceland, Before Elvis
Articles about Elvis Presley The Moores & The Presleys at Graceland

Over the years

Articles about Elvis Presley Graceland Newspaper article : March 1957
Elvis Presley Photos Elvis Presley with the music gates of Graceland : April 22, 1957
Elvis Presley Photos Photos of Graceland : April, 1962
Elvis Presley Photos Elvis Presley at Graceland : March 1965
Elvis Presley Photos Elvis Presley : Graceland : February 16, 1968

Articles about Elvis Presley Jerry Lee Lewis, Arrested at the Gates of Graceland
Articles about Elvis Presley The Night Springsteen Jumped the Fence at Graceland
Elvis Presley Photos Elvis Presley's 1955 Pink Cadillac at Graceland
Articles about Elvis Presley President Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Visit Graceland
Elvis Presley News Graceland Mansion Designated National Historic Landmark

Elvis Presley Biography

Articles about Elvis Presley Elvis Presley Family History : 1669-1935
Articles about Elvis Presley Elvis Presley Biography
Articles about Elvis Presley Gladys and Vernon Presley - Elvis Presley's Mother and Father
Articles about Elvis Presley Jessie D. McDowell (J.D.) Presley - Elvis Presleys Grandfather

Articles about Elvis Presley For a more (very) detailed history of Elvis Presley see Elvis Presley 1935-1953

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