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Paul McLeod, the late proprietor of Graceland Too, was convinced that his vast collection of Elvis memorabilia would make him rich. He had tens of thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands, of Elvis items packed in storage bins around his home/museum. His tours always included a peak at "the most valuable record in the history of the world" (an obscure Elvis 45), and he once told us that his carpet remnants from Elvis's Graceland, cut into souvenir squares, would be worth $200 million. Paul was sitting on a fortune!
Then Paul unexpectedly died. On January 31, 2015, the contents of Graceland Too were sold at auction. They were purchased by a single, anonymous, online bidder from Georgia. He paid -- not hundreds of millions of dollars, but $54,500.
He didn't get everything. Several Holly Springs residents pooled their money and bought Paul McLeod's pink Cadillac for $4,000. According to local news reports, the owners plan to keep Paul's memory alive by entering the car in local parades and occasionally driving it around town.
[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 02/08/2015]Graceland Too:RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report
- Directions:
- Near the town center, a few blocks east of Hwy 7, one block south of E. Vandom Ave. At the corner of Gholson Ave. and Randolph St.
- Status:
- Closed
The late Paul McLeod's attorney, Phillip Knecht, issued a press release today announcing a "Memorial and Celebration of the Life of Paul MacLeod, which will be held in Holly Springs, Mississippi, on Tuesday, August 12, 2014, during Elvis Presley Week. Graceland Too will be collecting donations at this event to pay for Paul MacLeod's funeral and burial expenses, and the expenses and costs of his Estate."
Graceland Too will open that day for guided tours for the customary $5/person. Be advised: "Lifetime memberships, for this one time only, will not be honored, as all proceeds from this tour will go towards Paul's funeral, burial and estate expenses." There will be a midnight candle vigil.
In the meantime, fans are stopping at the closed property to show their support of Elvis' No. 1 Fan. "Graceland Too is honored and touched by the outpouring of sympathy for Paul, and the growing collection of soda cans at the doorsteps of Graceland Too. We encourage Paul's fans to continue to stop by and leave these cans in his memory.
"Further details, including exact times and locations, will be posted in the coming days and weeks on the personal Facebook page of Phillip Kyle Knecht, the Facebook page of the Knecht Law Firm, the unofficial Paul MacLeod Facebook page, and with the Holly Springs City Hall, office of Mayor Kelvin Buck, and the Holly Springs Tourism and Recreation Bureau."
[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 07/20/2014]Well well well. We were in awe of Graceland Too. Keep up with him, you might miss something. Quite busy, but a must for Elvis fans. Town is pretty cool. House getting painted again.
[James the Route Pro, 07/06/2013]Glad we stopped. Please read the full story on RA. We knew what to expect. Paul was on his front porch waiting for visitors. He took us in the front door and locked it behind him. Would have been creepy if we didn't read the background story.
He likes to keep attention on him at all times and likes to "tap" your shoulder if his high pitched whistle didn't get you the first time. The house is now under "renovation" inside and out. There is a lot of chain link fence inside protecting his items. The house on the outside is now brown and blue and white.
Fascinating character and glad we met him.
[Tansy Ridings, 06/18/2013]- Holly Springs, Mississippi - Graceland Too
My husband got out and knocked on the door of Graceland Too, to no avail. Not to be deterred after our long drive, I went and knocked. And knocked. And knocked. I heard a "Yeah...hold on" from the other side of the black iron door, and our adventure began.
Mr. McLeod opened the door and our senses were immediately overpowered by the smell of Elvis. Not the fried-banana-and peanut-butter-sandwich smell of Memphis, but the boxed up memory smell of a true collector. We entered the house through the foyer, where Paul began his narrative, a quick-paced mental recording that switched on as soon as we asked for a tour. We were led into a small room that has records for wall coverings, a gold lame suit Mr. Paul wants to be buried in and a coffin that plays "return to sender" when the top closes.
I made the mistake of trying to look at the records as Paul pointed out, a motion he apparently does NOT like. He does indeed have an extensive Elvis record collection, artifacts, photos and newspaper clippings -- but he is the attraction.
You almost want to hit the door running and never come back, but Paul, with his slipping dentures, slicked-back pompadour, Hawaiian shirt and earnest looks, is almost like a magnet that you know will draw you back. Which is good, because, after 3 trips through the house, you become a Lifetime Member, complete with membership card.
[Sarah, 03/09/2010]
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