Mount Airy is Mayberry—and Mayberry is Mount Airy. Everywhere
you go in Mount Airy you are reminded of Andy Griffith and the
cast of Mayberry, RFD, the TV show that ran from 1965 to 1970.
And was born and raised here.
The popularity
of the show had a lot to do with the good, clean, all American,
solid citizens and quality of life of Mount Airy (excuse me),
Mayberry. That is just the way it is. Mayberry comes to life every
morning in Mount Airy, and we are sure glad it does.
You can experience
this personally. Mount Airy is a year-round tourist destination
that enjoys visitors, and loves talking about the show. We have
maintained the old Sheriff’s office (which you can visit),
and even have the 1959 Ford police car that Barney used to run
around town.
There is Floyd’s
barber shop, where “Floyd” still cuts hair every day.
And he will take the picture of every visitor that stops by his
shop and put it on his wall of fame. Next door is the Snappy Lunch.
Andy and Barney frequented this restaurant to get their famous
Pork Chop Sandwich. Don’t miss getting one for yourself.
Every year
during the summer is a weekend of fun we call Mayberry Days. As
you might guess, there are hundreds of Andy Griffith fan clubs
around the county with thousands of members. Mount Airy welcomes
them all back for the annual reunion, to meet old friend and re-live
the magic of Mayberry. Several of the original TV cast also come
to add a direct tie to the show. Andy, himself, came to Mount
Airy in the fall of 2002 to participate in the dedication of our
main highway as the “Andy Griffith Parkway”. He was
delighted that his old home town still retained the principals
and traditions of Mayberry.
