Remember Mayberry - the little community in North Carolina that was the setting for The Andy Griffith Show? The fictional Mayberry was based on Andy Griffith's hometown of Mount Airy, North Carolina, which was settled by the Moravians as early as 1760.
Here in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there is a massive granite deposit which is the home of the North Carolina Granite Corporation. This is the largest open face granite quarry in the world – it covers about 90 acres. The quarry has been in full operation since 1889; geologists says it’s good for another 500 years.
Many of Mt. Airy’s homes, churches and businesses are made from granite. On Main Street alone, there are six churches made of granite.
There are many lovely homes around town. The home known as the Gertrude Smith House was built in 1903 by Jefferson Davis Smith, a merchant and large land owner, who had 7 children. One of his daughters, Gertrude, was an interior designer in New York City. She returned to Mount Airy and lived in the homeplace with her two unmarried brothers until her death at age 90 in 1981. She left the bulk of her estate to pay for the upkeep of her beloved home – the nieces and nephews were sorely disappointed.
The home inside is packed with furniture that belonged to the family, with many additions made by Gertrude during her travels. Brother Robert added art and photography for the walls. More recently, 80-year old artist Pete Ballard has displayed several of his exquisite dolls that illustrate ladies' fashion at the turn of the century.
All sorts of famous people have called Mount Airy home - country music singer Donna Fargo, old time fiddler Tommy Jarrell, and the renowned Siamese Twins, Eng and Chang Bunker. Somehow, the only one that matters is Andy Griffith - comedian, singer, actor, and hometown favorite son - and star of The Andy Griffith Show.
Andy's boyhood home is right in the heart of town, within walking distance of Main Street. The Griffiths bought the house for $600 in 1935; they sold it in 1966 for $6,000. Today it is decorated in 1930s-1940s style, with Griffith memorabilia at every turn. For the really serious Mayberry fan, it's possible to spend the night here.
Nearby is the Grace Moravian Church. Andy Griffith spent his childhood in the Baptist church, but when he wanted to learn to play a band instrument, he started attending the Moravian Church. The only way to learn to play an instrument was private lessons at the Moravian Church; public schools did not offer band classes at that time.
The Andy Griffith Playhouse is located in the old Rockford Street School, built in about 1920. This is where Andy Griffith attended school; today it houses a theatre and the Andy Griffith Museum. A bronze statue in the courtyard shows Andy and Opie heading to the fishing hole.
So - Andy Griffith really lived here, but a visit to Mount Airy today is like total immersion in all things Mayberry. Walking down Main Street, you might even meet Otis, who will offer you a swig from his jug.
Our guide for the day was Deputy Barney Fife. He’s still bent on law and order, so you’d best behave or he’ll slap you with a ticket.
Here's the Mayberry Courthouse, where Sheriff Andy Taylor and Deputy Barney Fife maintained law and order. It also contained the county jail - two cells. Aside from Andy's home, this was the main setting for The Andy Griffith Show. The Squad Car parked out front was driven by Barney Fife, Andy's lifelong friend, the Deputy Sheriff.
You might also spot the squad car cruising around town – not exactly police work. Today the car is available for tours - where else could you ride in Barney's car but Mayberry?
Wally's Garage and Gas Station was the place of employment of Goober and Gomer Pyle. The original station was built in 1937 and operated as a gas station until the mid-1980's. Today, it's a good place to sit on the front porch in a rocking chair to enjoy an RC Cola and a moon pie - and reminisce about prices in the good ole days.
Next door is Emmet’s Fix-It Shop, with the town’s one taxicab parked out front.
Floyd's City Barber Shop draws so many visitors that there's now a Wall of Fame to showcase all the celebrities who have visited. Owner Russell Hiatt has been cutting hair for over 60 years and he boasts '2 chairs, no waiting.' Admission is free, but a haircut will cost you.
There's no free lunch, either, but at the Snappy Lunch, who cares? The Snappy Lunch, Mount Airy's oldest eating establishment, was mentioned in The Andy Griffith Show. Folks line up early and Barney is on hand for crowd control. Andy Griffith ate there as a boy and grown-up Sheriff Andy Taylor ate there, too - anybody remember the Mayberry episode when Barney and his sweetheart (Thelma Lou) set Andy up with a date at the Snappy?
The restaurant is famous for the pork chop sandwich, which was created by restaurant owner, Charles Dowell, who has been at Snappy Lunch for more than 50 years. And what a sandwich - a fried pork chop on a bun, with tomato, onion, mustard, cole slaw, and the house special chili sauce. Everybody ought to try it once (just once).
Mount Airy or Mayberry - either way, it's like stepping back in time - a fun way to spend a day!
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