Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Elvis Presley Fight Scene

Photographed by William J. Toman, July 30, 2011

1. Elvis Presley Fight Scene Marker

Inscription. On this site, the corner of Hwy 51 and East Washington Avenue around 1 am, on June 24th, 1977, Elvis Presley was riding in the 2nd of two limousines which had stopped for a red light. He was coming from a concert in Des Moines and had just arrived in Madison. Elvis noticed a young teen on the ground being beaten by two other youths here at the former Skyland Service Station. Elvis jumped out of his limo and moved quickly to the fight scene. They admitted later that they knew it was the legendary Elvis Presley who was standing in front of them in his classic karate stance saying "I'll take you on". After a few classic karate moves by Elvis, the youths recognized him, stood and shook hands, and promised to stop fighting. Elvis asked "Is everything settled now"? Elvis was on his way to the Sheraton and his last Madison appearance. He died 52 days later, on August 16th, 1977.

Erected 2007 by Suburban Wheels of Madison.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Believe It or Not series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 24, 1977.

Location. 43° 7.009′ N, 89° 19.513′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin,

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in Dane County. It is on East Washington Avenue (U.S. 151) near North Stoughton Road (U.S. 51), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Madison WI 53704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Reindahl Memorial Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); Amund K. Reindahl Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hiestand Park (approx. 1½ miles away); Stang-Wirth House (approx. 1½ miles away); Hiestand School (approx. 1½ miles away); Garver Feed & Supply Company (approx. 1.6 miles away); Young Union Soldier of the American Civil War (approx. 1.7 miles away); Steinle Turret Machine Co. (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Also see . . . Elvis was Memorable in Fighting Scene Here. An article on the incident from a Madison newspaper as recalled thirty years later. (Submitted on October 30, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.)

Original Elvis Presley Fight Scene Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, October 30, 2010

2. Original Elvis Presley Fight Scene Marker

This is how the marker appeared before a new car dealership took over the property.

Photographed by William J. Toman, October 30, 2010

3. Elvis Presley Fight Scene Marker

Suburban Wheels of Madison is now defunct, joining the Skyland Service Station that was on this very busy corner in 1977.

Photographed by William J. Toman, July 30, 2011

4. Elvis Presley Fight Scene Marker

A new car dealership has taken over the lot.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 8,975 times since then and 406 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week January 9, 2011. Photos: 1. submitted on July 31, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 2, 3. submitted on October 30, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on July 31, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.