A newly shared black-and-white aerial photograph of Elvis Presley’s iconic Graceland mansion offers fans a rare glimpse of the estate before some of its most famous structural additions. The image, posted on Presley’s official social media page, showcases the mansion and surrounding grounds as they appeared before the construction of the Meditation Garden and swimming pool.
The swimming pool and Meditation Garden, later the final resting place of Presley and his immediate family, had not yet been built at the time the photo was taken. The image included a caption highlighting Graceland’s size, 17,552 square feet on 13.8 acres, and noted it had become part of the American National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Presley purchased the home in 1957 for $102,500, according to Graceland’s records. Originally, the house measured 10,266 square feet before a series of major renovations.
The entertainer’s parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley, had been searching for a more private property after fans crowded their previous residence at 1034 Audubon Drive in Memphis. With the help of local realtor Virginia Grant, the family discovered Graceland and immediately fell in love with the property.
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Presley made a $1,000 down payment on the property, and his parents moved in by May 1957. He joined his parents after finishing filming Jailhouse Rock in June of that year.
Renovations transformed Graceland into the world-famous home fans know today. Presley added the swimming pool, Meditation Garden, Music Gates, a stone privacy wall, and remodeled the basement and Jungle Room. He also incorporated stained glass panels in the music room and above the front doorway, and built an exterior racquetball building.
Elvis Presley, known as the King of Rock and Roll, passed away at Graceland in August 1977 at the age of 42, leaving behind a cultural landmark that continues to attract fans from around the globe.
In 1982, Graceland was opened to the public. On June 7, Graceland’s official website reported that over 3,000 fans paid $5 to tour the home. Today, Presley’s home is the second most visited private residence in the United States, second to the White House.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.