The Miniature Town That Just Might Be The Most Peculiar Place In Virginia
For any Elvis fanatic, the word Graceland conjures up a specific image of the King’s home in Memphis, Tennessee. But for any resident of Roanoke, Virginia and a scattering of truly devoted Elvis fans, there’s also a much, much smaller place that might come to mind.
Nestled in the yard of a Roanoke residence, you’ll find a replica of Graceland. Only this version happens to stand at three feet tall and is part of its own unique miniature town. Learn more about how big love for Elvis translated into something tiny.
Don and Kim Epperly of the residence photographed above were more than just fans of Elvis. They loved him so dearly that in the 1980s, they decided that his beloved home known as Graceland was too spectacular a place to be apart from any longer.
Rather than making the move to Memphis, this couple decided to build their own version of Elvis’s home. Photographed above is the completed creation, complete with windows, shutters, columns, and other minuscule details of The King’s favorite dwelling. The 3-foot replica was just the beginning, though.
Each year, one more building was added to the tiny Elvis town. Among these meticulously-crafted sites were famous concert halls where Elvis had performed and even a tiny version of the Elvis Presley Car Museum.
For years, the town was displayed on a property next to the Epperly house. It quickly became a point of interest along local bus tours. Unfortunately, Don’s declining health rendered him unable to continue the upkeep, and when he died in 2012, the site fell into disrepair.
Thankfully, with efforts from the Salem Garden Club, the buildings were somewhat restored. Fans of Elvis can still make the pilgrimage to the Miniature Graceland. They’ll be greeted with a golden statue of Elvis where they can also make a small donation to ensure the Epperly’s love for Elvis lives on.
Photographed above is the real Graceland in Tennessee. As you can tell, the miniature version pays quite an homage to the impressive architecture.
Watch the brief video below for an interactive tour of Miniature Graceland:
Miniature Graceland is located at 605 Riverland Road, SE Roanoke VA and is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Have you visited this site in Roanoke? We’d love to hear about your experience!
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A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Alexandria. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
