Elvis Presley fans from all over gathered at the Chaffee Barbershop Museum today to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the King's historic G.I. haircut.
The barbershop is located at Chaffee Crossing and has been restored to its 1958 condition when thousands of soldiers, including Elvis, passed through its doors to receive their military hair cuts.
"This is the only place that that happened," said Ivy Owen, Executive Director of the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority. "There's no reproducing it anywhere else. We're actually standing in the building it happened."
Jack Cleavenger Sr. remembers the day in 1958 when the barber took off Elvis' signature sideburns. He was working as a photographer for the local newspaper and set the scene for a now infamous photo.
"I picked some hair up off the floor, and I gave it to him and asked him if he would blow it out," said Cleavenger. "When he did, I captioned it in the paper 'Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow.'"
Elvis fans lined up to get their hair cut while sitting in the same chair where the King sat.
"It's a historic place, and it's a historic moment in Elvis' life," said Reena Ramirez from Huntsville. "I'm a huge Elvis fan, and it's something that I've always wanted to do."
The day's events also included trivia contests and performances from Elvis tribute artists.
Owen said the proceeds of the day's events will go toward renovating the barracks on the property where Elvis stayed.