Tupelo in Lee County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

The Outhouse

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 30, 2024

1. The Outhouse Marker

Inscription. This is a replica of an outhouse that was typical in a poor, Southern neighborhood. Oftentimes, a single privy was shared by several residents. The original outhouse located behind the row of rental houses along Saltillo Road was also shared by members of the Assembly of God Church.

Outhouses were located away from the house or building that it served for sanitary reasons. The simple structure was referred to as a "one or two holer" for obvious reasons. Ventilation was provided by a cut-out in the door or the side walls in the shape of a half moon, circle, or another simple shape. In the winter it was bone-chilling cold. In warm months, it was often the home of uninvited guests such as wasps and spiders.

Guy Harris, who grew up on this street along with Elvis Presley, remembers outhouses from his childhood. "We used a Sears Catalog for toilet paper, there was no such thing as Charmin," said Harris."You might even find a few corn cobs in there, too. That's all anybody knew."

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures.

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In addition, it is included in the If You've Got to Go... series list.

Location. 34° 15.558′ N, 88° 40.787′ W. Marker is in Tupelo, Mississippi, in Lee County. It can be reached from the intersection of Elvis Presley Drive and Reese Street. Located at the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 306 Elvis Presley Drive, Tupelo MS 38804, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically ast Mississippi in the North Mississippi Hills. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Elvis Presley's Childhood Church (here, next to this marker); Elvis Presley and the Blues (within shouting distance of

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 7, 2017

2. The Outhouse Marker

This is a previous iteration of the marker with the same title and text.

this marker); Elvis Country (within shouting distance of this marker); The Birthplace / East Tupelo 1935-1948 (within shouting distance of this marker); Birthplace of Elvis Presley (within shouting distance of this marker); In Remembrance of Elvis Presley (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Entertainer (about 600 feet away); Becoming (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tupelo.

Replica Outhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 7, 2017

3. Replica Outhouse

Elvis Presley birthplace - two-room shotgun house, near marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 7, 2017

4. Elvis Presley birthplace - two-room shotgun house, near marker.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 30, 2024

5. The Outhouse Marker

New version of marker outside the out house

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,643 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 3, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 16, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 5. submitted on August 3, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.