Oxford County Courthouse and the Tale of Elvis Presley

Have you heard the tale of Elvis Presley visiting the County Courthouse?

By Liz Dommasch, Archivist

Throughout human history mankind has felt the need to make their lasting mark. Prior to the creation of written language, early humans would draw images on cave walls in order to tell a story or leave a message. The ancient Greeks and Romans would write their names and protest poems on local buildings. In fact, the first known example of “modern style” graffiti can be found in the ancient Greek city of Ephesus (located in modern day Turkey). It includes a drawing of a foot, a hand, a heart and a number and is believed to be an advertisement for prostitution!

In the west end tower of the Oxford County Courthouse, in Woodstock, hundreds of signatures of former visitors cover the unfinished walls and date back as far as 1892 when the building was built. These autographs recall former prominent Oxford family names, such as Canfield and Sutherland, and include a vast register of visitors such as Ashton Brown, of Toronto (1899); William Gleason, of South Bend, Indiana; F.A. Jones of Ottawa; and Roy Batenburg of Vancouver, B.C. (2006). Ray Wilson, marked his visit by scrawling his name on the wall on the occasion of the draping of the Courthouse in memoriam for King Edward VII following his death in May 1910. This motley collection of visitors’ names make sense, as in years gone by, the Courthouse tower was visited by persons wanting to gain the highest sight-seeing spot in the city. As more names appeared, the tradition of inscribing the walls has continued right up to modern day.*

However, there is one signature in the stairwell leading up to the tower that you wouldn’t expect. According to local folklore, Elvis Presley reportedly signed his name after being arrested for speeding and held overnight in 1957 (insert Jailhouse Rock joke here). While no one seems to know for sure if he was ever in Woodstock, Presley was in Canada in 1957 playing two shows in Toronto on April 2^nd and another in Ottawa on April 3^rd. He was originally scheduled to perform in Montreal, the following day, on April 4^th. However, the concert was cancelled before his tour began due to civic concern and pressure from Catholic Church Officials. He would later return to Canada for one final show in Vancouver on August 31^st. These dates conflict with the date noted in the stairwell that states Elvis “had left the building” in September 1957. It’s most likely that there is no truth to this local legend (as noted by the message left by another individual!). However, it’s fun to imagine that the King of Rock and Roll once paid a visit to Oxford County.

*please note that the Courthouse tower is not open to the public.

Image credit: Elvis Presley: at Buffalo and Toronto: No 2. York University Libraries, Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections, Toronto Telegram fonds, ASC00838. https://yorkspace.library.yorku.ca/xmlui/handle/10315/6630