When Elvis Presley was 10, he entered a singing competition in his hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi. Somehow the future legend placed fifth. The King's fortunes improved, to say the least, and legions of fans still flock to the spot near city hall where the first fateful competition commenced. A statue immortalizes the man who helped put Historic Downtown Tupelo on the map. “We call ourselves the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll,” says Lucia Randle, executive director for Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association. But the downtown district in this city of 38,000 isn’t just coasting on the Elvis connection. Bistros, coffee bars, boutiques and art galleries peek out from behind the rows of leafy trees on West Main Street, and the nearby Cadence Bank Arena, just a few minutes' walk, is Mississippi’s largest multipurpose indoor arena. In 1999, the Tupelo Redevelopment Agency initiated construction of the Fairpark District, a residential development in the former county fairgrounds just outside downtown. City Hall, which was rebuilt a few years later and given a major face-lift in 2021, serves as Fairpark's centerpiece. “Tupelo is a very progressive city,” Randle says. “It always has been. If you see pictures of Tupelo 30 years ago, it’s hardly recognizable.”
Tupelo is famous for being the childhood home of "The King" Elvis Presley.
Historic Downtown Tupelo is the heart of the city.
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Greatest Hits in Downtown Tupelo
The house blend from Strange Brew Coffeehouse can fuel a stroll down touristy, tree-lined West Main Street. Greatest Hits Music & Books is a treasure trove of vinyl, cassettes, hardcovers, DVDs and collectibles. Across the street, in a sand-hued stone cottage, Journey 2 Destiny Designs bills itself as an “arts and crafts studio and lounge” with outdoor seating. Gladys Presley bought her son’s first guitar at Tupelo Hardware Co., a West Main Street store that still specializes in small engine parts and hardware, plus the odd axe. Next door, exposed brick and warm wood floors give Nautical Whimsey Italian restaurant a rustic farmhouse vibe. In the northern half of the neighborhood, diners can choose between egg rolls at China Capital, margaritas at Acapulco Mexican or prime-grade Angus ribeye steaks at Woody’s Tupelo. When it’s time to stock the fridge, Kroger is a short distance away on West Main Street.
Strange Brew is a popular coffee shop in Historic Downtown Tupelo.
Greatest Hits Music & Books is a quaint resale shop in Historic Downtown Tupelo.
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Shady sidewalks and early 20th-century homes
The drone of cicadas accompanies pedestrians walking the area's residential streets, some of which weave over short hills. Wide bands of grass run parallel to ribbons of sidewalk, keeping pedestrians well away from traffic, while clouds of oak and maple leaves shade the sidewalks and tidy front yards. Buyers choose between Craftsman- and Colonial-style homes priced from $200,000 to $500,000 or grand Tudor-style and Greek Revival homes between $600,000 and $800,000. Many homes date to the early 1900s, while others were built nearly a century later. Inventory is scarce, and available homes are snapped up quickly.
Historic Downtown Tupelo features several Greek revival homes.
Historic Downtown Tupelo is home to craftsman homes.
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Taking the stage at Tupelo High School
Schools are a short drive from Historic Downtown Tupelo. Carver Elementary School serves kindergarten and first-grade students and earns a Niche grade of A. Next comes Lawhon Elementary School, then Tupelo Middle School. Both schools also earn A grades from Niche. Tupelo High School gets an A-minus and offers numerous sports programs, a school newspaper and a theatre club.
Rose gardens at Robins Noble Park
Robins Noble Park spills across nearly half a block in the center of the neighborhood, between North Madison and North Church Streets. Rose gardens dedicated to key figures in Tupelo’s history decorate the cultural site, which was once a football stadium with an adjacent community swimming pool. The Honor Wall is studded with plaques celebrating local athletes, coaches, cheerleaders and band members. The track encircling the former football field is wide enough to accommodate skateboarders and cyclists, along with walkers and joggers. A small playground sits next to the parking lot, which offers plenty of space.
Robbins Noble Park in Historic Downtown Tupelo is currently undergoing renovations and updates.
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail runs near Historic Downtown Tupelo.
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Tupelo Elvis Festival at Cadence Bank Arena
In June, Cadence Bank Arena hosts the Tupelo Elvis Festival. The four-day event honors the King of rock ’n’ roll with tribute competitions, concerts and “Behind the Jumpsuits,” a show that delves into the lives of dedicated Elvis fans. The Fall into Tupelo Fall Fest kicks off with a chili cookoff and live music on the first Friday in October, continuing with a Family Fun Day on Saturday afternoon and concluding with concerts and cocktails later that night.
The Cadence Bank Arena and Conference Center draws visitors to Historic Downtown Tupelo.
Historic Downtown Tupelo is a beautiful place to walk at night.
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Home of Lee County Library
In Historic Downtown Tupelo, residents are within 2 miles of North Mississippi Medical Center and less than 3 miles from Interstate 22. Jackson Street leads to Tupelo Regional Airport, which is 3 miles away and offers connecting service to Nashville, Tennessee. Book lovers drop by Lee County Library for members-only book sales and the Lunching with Books reading series. Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo, a 210-acre agrotourism spot, is 5 miles away. All three bus lines on the Tupelo Transit system stop at the Downtown Hub on the corner of Main and Front Streets, but not many residents use the system, and it’s often more efficient to get around on foot. Historic Downtown Tupelo is also home to several churches, including All Saints Episcopal Church and First Baptist Church Tupelo, which sit about a block apart near Lee County Library.
Historic Downtown Tupelo is 10 minutes from Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo.
Historic Downtown Tupelo is home to the Lee County Library.
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Things to consider
In 1936, Tupelo was devastated by the fourth-deadliest tornado in U.S. history. Since then, the tornado risk is on par with the Mississippi average, which is much higher than the national average.
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Conveniently located just off W Main Street in Tupelo, this versatile +/-2347 square foot property is currently used as office space but offers endless potential. With two kitchens, two bathrooms, two large living areas, and dual driveways, it can easily be converted into two separate offices or a duplex investment property. Sitting on a spacious +/-0.44 acre lot with a large backyard and ample
Henry (Hank) WhiteCompass Realty Group,LLC&DreamTree Forestry & Farms,LLC
4 Bedrooms! Wonderful home located in the heart of Tupelo. Beautiful wood floors. Large family room plus cozy living room. Front porch with swing and park like backyard - totally fenced! You must see to truly appreciate all this lovely vintage home has to offer. Call today!
Imagine the possibilities! This 2490 square foot home is zoned Mixed Use Development, it can be used commercially, residential, or mixed! Great visibility for a business, high traffic count, parking in rear with covered ramp, HVAC replaced downstairs, interior repainted and floors refinished throughout downstairs, everything new in downstairs bathrooms, 1/2 bath is ADA compliant, furniture is
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Blake Trehern,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
845
Median Age
37
Population under 18
25%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$32,105
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$54,693
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
87.8%
College Graduates
24.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
12.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68.3%
On par with the national average
65.1%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
37/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
58/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
