Elvis's time in Newbern sought for recognition

Some 54 years ago, Elvis Presley walked the streets of Newbern. As "Elvis Week" closed, members of the Newbern Historical and Preservation Society have begun the daunting task of placing two of the town's establishments where Elvis frequented on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Thirty years after his death, tales are still being told about the short period of time in which Elvis lived in Newbern while driving a gravel truck for Memphis Stone and Gravel Co. along Highway 77 from to 1953 to 1954.

During that time, local lore notes Elvis rented a room in the building called "Mrs. Brown's Boarding House," which was located on Jefferson Street behind the Newbern Depot. Residents from that era can also remember Elvis being a regular visitor at the Newbern City Café, where he was known to sit on one of the outside benches and play his guitar.

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