HISTORY of Building 

The History of the TigerMan Karate Dojo & Museum

 

The building that now houses the TigerMan Karate Dojo & Museum by Spa Guy was completed in 1955—just two years before Elvis Presley purchased Graceland in 1957. Originally home to Brooks Gas Company, it occupied four full lots, two of which are now part of the museum. The name “Brooks” was inspired by nearby Brooks Road, a well-known Memphis thoroughfare that gave the business local recognition. At the time, the address was 1055A Brooks Road.

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After the gas company, the building served as a church, during which time the red carpet and wood paneling—seen in many historic photos—were installed. Those features remained when the space was leased in 1970 to Grandmaster Kang Rhee, who operated his karate school here until 1974. During that time, Elvis Presley trained inside these walls, conducted belt tests, taught karate, and earned his 8th Degree Black Belt.

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Following Kang Rhee’s occupancy, the building returned to use as a church. The original paneling seen in the current Dojo section dates back to that era. While the original red carpet has since been replaced due to age and wear, preserved sections are still available as keepsakes on special certificates.

In 1988, the property was subdivided and assigned a new address: 3217 Lucibill Road. That same year, Ron Ester purchased the building and used it for his business, Controlled Systems, which focused on industrial automation.

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In 2020, the property was acquired and Spa Guy began restoring it to its 1974 appearance, honoring its legacy as one of the most significant locations in Elvis Presley’s martial arts journey.

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In 2025, we proudly reopened the building to the public, giving fans the chance to walk where Elvis once walked, practiced karate and truly Experience the History.