"Mayberry Sherrif's Car"
Mt. Airy, NC - February 2001 (Click to embiggen)
"Mayberry Sherrif's Car"
Mt. Airy, NC - February 2001 (Click to embiggen)
If you're as old as I am -- or watch a lot of syndicated television reruns -- you might recognize this 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 as the patrol car driven by "Sheriff Andy Taylor" of The Andy Griffith Show.Mt. Airy, NC is situated along the state's border with Virginia in the foothills of the northern mountains. Andy Griffith, the star of The Andy Griffith Show and its progeny, is a native of Mt. Airy and until recently gave no credence to the idea that the show was based on life in the town. Rumor has it that's he's conceded in recent years that his hometown did influence the theme of the show and the fictional town that formed its basis. But whether or not Mayberry was modeled on Mt. Airy, Mt. Airy has done its best to model itself on Mayberry since then. The town not only accepts its identification with its fictitious cousin, it embraces it. References to the show and its characters are everywhere you look, including this car parked in front of the Mayberry Jail.If you want to learn more about Mayberry's ties to various places in the state, Lee over at Tarheel Ramblings posted a more detailed look in his recent post A Mayberry State of Mind. (Tell him Mojo sent ya. ;)
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17 comments:
Mayberry...Mt. Airy? Hmmmm. Now that's something to ponder. ;-)
I so want to go there! I love that program and rewatch the reruns whenever I can.
Why did I suddenly hear whistling in my head. And I think that's my last song syndrome for the day.
Not TV Programme we got in the UK and yet we all seem to know it. Like the Brady Bunch. This is fascinating to me as tv and film trivia buff. Sort I stuff I love to learn, local knowledge. Excellent individual choice.
Interesting with great photos.
Do I want to admit I remember the show & the cruiser from a few years back or should I just say I have seen reruns! Thanks for sharing.
Mojo: If you were a product of Mayberry there are a lot of reasons to embrace the show. The Sherrifs car is precious.
Great humor and good lesson always learned. Do you have Ernest T and the boys in the hills around still playing the jug?
This is new to me, interesting!
This is akin to the Holy Grail of North Carolina. I much prefer it to NASCAR.
Hi Mojo,
I actually had a 68 (I think) Ford Galaxy it came from my lady friend that had the Lupus, it was my first car, what a Tuna boat!These are great shot though love to look at them.
I read about your friend, the testimony to her on your site I am truly sorry for your loss and sorry she felt she had no alternatives. I will pray for her family.
In peace.
this is indeed a classic post!
Nice oldtimer! I like this picture very much in Black and White. Thnaks for sharing!
Its amazing how towns and hamlets pick on any long shot association with notoriety of any kind to set them apart from the rest. I wonder, is it a search for identity or the tourist dollar.
What a fascinating post. I love that your town has accepted and even embraced the ties it has to Mayberry. Your photos were wonderful!
~Angie
www.thearthurclanphotos.blogspot.com
Great pictures of the Mayberry patrol car, Mojo. And thank you for the plug. I would also like to recommend folks check out Scott Dickson's book, In Search of Mayberry if they are interested in learning more about small town North Carolina. Scott has done a great job of pointing out the small town charm that is one of North Carolina's greatest assets. I just received my copy of Scott's book and it is great. Plus, he's given me some great ideas for some photo safaris in the future.
Excellent post! I'm not very old but i have seen that car in movies.
Loved that show... still do. Wish there were more Mayberrys in this world.
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