History of Mount Airy, North Carolina, USA

Mount Airy, a small town located in the Blue Ridge foothills of North Carolina, is primarily known as the hometown of actor Andy Griffith and the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry from the popular 1960s sitcom “The Andy Griffith Show.” The town’s history dates back to the early 19th century, with the arrival of European settlers and the growth of industries such as textiles, furniture manufacturing, and granite quarrying.

Today, Mount Airy’s economy relies heavily on tourism, capitalizing on its connection to the beloved television series. Visitors can explore the town’s historical downtown district, which features shops, galleries, and restaurants, as well as various attractions related to the show, such as the Andy Griffith Museum and the Mayberry-themed stores.

The town also boasts several cultural attractions, outdoor recreational opportunities in the nearby state parks and trails, and a relatively low cost of living. While Mount Airy has faced challenges in recent years due to the decline of traditional industries, it continues to focus on economic growth and community development to ensure a sustainable future for its residents and visitors. Here is the story of Mount Airy, North Carolina.

The Early Days: Native Americans and Early Settlers

Before European settlers arrived in the region, the land that would become Mount Airy was home to the Saura Native Americans. The Saura were a Siouan-speaking tribe that inhabited the Piedmont region of North Carolina and Virginia, with settlements concentrated along the Yadkin and Dan River valleys.

The Saura were skilled farmers, cultivating crops such as corn, beans, and squash in the fertile floodplains of the Ararat River. They also hunted game in the surrounding forests and gathered wild plants to supplement their diet. The tribe was known for its distinctive pottery, intricate geometric designs, and burnished surfaces.

In the early 1700s, the Saura came into increasing contact with European explorers and traders, who sought to establish trade relations with the tribe. However, these interactions were often marred by conflict and misunderstanding, as the Europeans brought foreign diseases and competed to control the land and resources.

As European settlement in the region increased in the mid-1700s, many Saura were forced to abandon their traditional lands and migrate south to join other Siouan tribes in the Catawba Nation. Others remained in the area but faced increasing pressure from the growing number of English and German settlers who began arriving in the 1740s and 1750s.

These early settlers were drawn to the area by the promise of cheap, fertile land and abundant natural resources. Many were farmers from the colonies of Virginia and Pennsylvania, seeking new opportunities on the frontier. Others were Moravian missionaries from Germany, who established religious communities in the region and sought to convert the native tribes to Christianity.

The Founding of Mount Airy

One of the earliest settlements in the area was a small farming community that grew up around a stagecoach stop in the 1790s. This settlement, which would later become Mount Airy, was strategically located at the intersection of several major trade routes, including the Great Wagon Road that connected the Piedmont region to Virginia’s markets and the Charleston and Wilmington ports.

The settlement was initially known as “The Hollows” due to its location in a valley surrounded by rolling hills and steep ravines. However, it soon acquired a new name, thanks to a nearby plantation resembling the ancestral home of Robert Ayres, the Earl of Mountairey in Ireland. According to local legend, the Earl’s family once owned land in the area, and the plantation was named in his honor.

As the settlement grew, it became an important center of trade and commerce for the surrounding region. Farmers from miles around would bring their crops and livestock to sell at the local market. At the same time, merchants and tradesmen set up shops to cater to the needs of the growing population.

Rise of Industry: Railroads, Quarries and Factories

The arrival of the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad in Mount Airy in 1888 marked a turning point in the town’s history, transforming it from a small agricultural community into a thriving industrial center. The railroad, which connected Mount Airy to the major markets and ports of the East Coast, brought with it new opportunities for trade and commerce and access to raw materials and capital.

Granite Quarrying

The granite quarrying business was one of the first industries to benefit from the railroad. Mount Airy’s location in the Blue Ridge foothills gave it access to vast deposits of high-quality granite, which had been used for building and construction since the early 1800s. However, the need for more efficient transportation limited the market for this valuable resource.

With the arrival of the railroad, all that changed. In 1889, a group of investors led by Thomas Woodruff founded the North Carolina Granite Corporation, which would become one of the world’s largest and most successful granite quarrying operations. The company’s open-faced quarry, located just outside Mount Airy, remains the largest of its kind, covering over 60 acres and producing over 10,000 tons of granite daily.

Textile Mills

The North Carolina Granite Corporation’s success helped put Mount Airy on the map, attracting new businesses and investors to the town. In the early 1900s, several textile mills and furniture factories began to spring up, taking advantage of the town’s abundant natural resources and growing population.

One of the first textile mills to be established in Mount Airy was the Mount Airy Knitting Mill, which opened in 1905. The mill specialized in producing hosiery and other knitted goods and quickly became one of the largest employers in the town. By the 1920s, the mill produced over 1 million pairs of socks annually. It had expanded its operations to include a dyeing and finishing plant.

Another major textile company in Mount Airy was the Renfro Corporation, founded in 1921 by local businessman W.F. Renfro. The company initially focused on producing men’s dress socks. Still, it expanded into other areas, including athletic socks and children’s hosiery. By the 1950s, Renfro had become one of the largest sock manufacturers in the world, with sales in over 30 countries.

Furniture Manufacturing

In addition to textiles, furniture manufacturing also played a significant role in Mount Airy’s industrial growth. The town’s abundant supply of hardwoods, including oak, maple, and cherry, made it an ideal location for furniture production. One of the most successful furniture companies in Mount Airy was the L.S. Starrett Company, founded in 1920.

Starrett initially focused on producing precision measuring tools for the textile and machinery industries but later expanded into furniture manufacturing. The company’s furniture division, which operated under the name Mount Airy Furniture Company, became known for its high-quality bedroom and dining room sets sold throughout the United States.

The Decline of Traditional Industries

These and other industries’ growth helped transform Mount Airy into a significant economic hub for the region. By the mid-20th century, the town boasted a diverse and thriving industrial base, with dozens of factories and mills employing thousands of workers. The railroad, which had played a crucial role in the town’s development, continued to be a significant driver of economic growth, connecting Mount Airy to markets and suppliers across the country.

However, the town’s reliance on traditional industries would also prove to be its Achilles’ heel. In the late 20th century, as global competition and changing consumer demands began to take their toll, many of Mount Airy’s factories and mills were forced to close their doors. The North Carolina Granite Corporation, once the town’s largest employer, saw its workforce dwindle from over 1,000 in the 1950s to just a few dozen by the early 2000s.

Despite these challenges, Mount Airy has adapted and evolved, leveraging its unique history and cultural heritage to attract new businesses and visitors. Today, the town is home to a thriving tourism industry, with thousands of visitors each year to experience its small-town charm and rich industrial past. The North Carolina Granite Corporation, though no longer the economic powerhouse it once was, still operates its quarry and welcomes visitors to learn about the history and science of granite production.

Mount Airy will undoubtedly face new challenges and opportunities as it looks to the future. But with its strong sense of community, rich cultural heritage, and enduring spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, there is little doubt that this small town will continue to thrive for generations to come.

Small Town, Big Stars

Mount Airy, North Carolina, may be a small town. Still, it has outsized American popular culture, largely thanks to the remarkable individuals who have called it home over the years.

Andy Griffith

First and foremost among these is Andy Griffith, the beloved actor, comedian, and musician born and raised in Mount Airy in the 1920s and 30s. Griffith’s early life in the town would inspire one of the most iconic television shows ever, The Andy Griffith Show, which premiered on CBS in 1960.

The show, which starred Griffith as the wise and genial Sheriff Andy Taylor, was set in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, a thinly veiled version of Mount Airy. Many of the characters and locations on the show were based on real people and places from Griffith’s childhood, including the Snappy Lunch diner, where Griffith used to eat as a boy, and the Earle Theatre, where he first discovered his love of acting.

The Andy Griffith Show was an immediate hit with audiences, largely thanks to its warm, gentle humor and idealized portrayal of small-town life. The show ran for eight seasons and won numerous awards, including six Emmys and a Peabody Award. It remains one of the most beloved and enduring sitcoms of all time, and its influence can still be seen in countless television shows and movies today.

Griffith went on to have a long and successful career in Hollywood, starring in numerous films and television shows throughout his six-decade career. He is best known for his role as the wily defense attorney Ben Matlock in the long-running legal drama Matlock, which aired from 1986 to 1995.

Donna Fargo

But Griffith is far from the only Mount Airy native to make it big in show business. Donna Fargo, the Grammy-winning country singer and songwriter, was also born and raised in the town. Fargo rose to fame in the 1970s with her breakout hit “The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA,” which topped the country charts and crossed over to the pop charts.

Throughout her career, Fargo released more than a dozen albums and scored numerous hit singles, including “Funny Face,” “Superman,” and “You Can’t Be a Beacon (If Your Light Don’t Shine).” She was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2010 and remains a beloved figure in the world of country music.

Chang and Eng Bunker

However, the most unusual celebrities out of Mount Airy were Chang and Eng Bunker, the world-famous Siamese twins who settled in the area in the 1800s. The Bunker brothers were born in Siam (now Thailand) in 1811 and were joined at the chest by a band of cartilage and flesh. They were discovered by a British merchant in 1829 and soon became international celebrities, touring the world with P.T. Barnum’s circus and other traveling shows.

In 1839, the brothers retired from show business. They settled down in Mount Airy, where they bought a farm and married two local sisters, Adelaide and Sarah Yates. The brothers went on to father 21 children between them. They became respected members of the community, known for their business acumen and generosity to their neighbors.

The Bunker brothers’ story has been the subject of numerous books, plays, and films, including the 1999 documentary “Chang and Eng Bunker: The Original Siamese Twins” and the 2018 novel “The Siamese Twin Mystery” by Ellery Queen. Today, their descendants, the Bunker Twins, hold annual reunions in Mount Airy to celebrate their unique family history.

Mount Airy Goes to Hollywood

In addition to producing its homegrown celebrities, Mount Airy has also served as a backdrop for numerous films and television shows over the years, thanks to its picturesque streets, historic buildings, and small-town charm.

Of course, the most famous of these is The Andy Griffith Show, which was inspired by Griffith’s childhood in Mount Airy and featured numerous references to real-life people and places from the town. The show’s fictional setting of Mayberry was a thinly-veiled version of Mount Airy, and many of the show’s iconic locations, such as the courthouse and the barbershop, were based on real places in the town.

The popularity of The Andy Griffith Show led to a spin-off series, Mayberry R.F.D., which aired from 1968 to 1971. The show was set in the same fictional town as its predecessor. It featured many of the same characters and locations, including the Mayberry courthouse and the Bluebird Diner.

In the years since The Andy Griffith Show ended, Mount Airy has continued to attract filmmakers and television producers looking for the perfect small-town setting. In 1995, the town hosted the cast and crew of Rustling Rhapsody, a Western comedy starring Tom Berenger and Penelope Ann Miller. The movie, filmed entirely on location in Mount Airy and the surrounding area, used many of the town’s historic buildings and scenic vistas.

More recently, in 2016, the indie dramedy The Hollars, directed by and starring John Krasinski, filmed several scenes in Mount Airy. The movie tells the story of a dysfunctional family coming together after their mother’s illness and uses the town’s quaint streets and local businesses, including the historic Earle Theatre.

Today, Mount Airy embraces its Hollywood connections, with numerous attractions and events dedicated to celebrating the town’s film and television history. Visitors can tour the Andy Griffith Museum, which features memorabilia and artifacts from the actor’s life and career, or visit the Mayberry Courthouse, a replica of the iconic building from The Andy Griffith Show.

Each year, the town also hosts the Mayberry Days festival, a celebration of all things Andy Griffith that draws thousands of fans worldwide. The festival features live music, comedy performances, appearances by cast members from the show, a parade, a car show, and numerous other events and activities.

Mount Airy is a must-visit destination for fans of classic television and small-town Americana. It offers a glimpse into a bygone era and a chance to walk in the footsteps of some of the most beloved characters in pop culture history. Whether you’re a die-hard Andy Griffith fan or appreciate the charm and nostalgia of a simpler time, Mount Airy will leave a lasting impression.

A Living Legacy

Mount Airy, North Carolina, is more than just a charming small town with a rich history and a famous hometown hero. It’s a vibrant, thriving community that offers a unique blend of nostalgia and modern-day amenities, making it an attractive destination for visitors and those looking to put down roots.

For fans of The Andy Griffith Show, visiting Mount Airy is like stepping back to the idyllic world of Mayberry. Visitors can stroll down Main Street, with its vintage storefronts and iconic Snappy Lunch diner, or take a tour of the Andy Griffith Museum, which features memorabilia and artifacts from the actor’s life and career. The town also boasts a T.V. Land Landmark statue of Andy and Opie, a popular photo spot for fans of the show.

But Mount Airy’s appeal goes beyond its connection to a beloved television series. The town is home to a thriving arts and culture scene, with numerous galleries, theaters, and music venues showcasing the work of local artists and performers. The Surry Arts Council, located in the historic Earle Theatre, hosts concerts, plays, and other events throughout the year, while the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History exhibits the town’s rich industrial and cultural heritage.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Mount Airy is a gateway to the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The town is just a short drive from numerous state parks and scenic trails, including Pilot Mountain State Park, where visitors can hike to the summit for breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The nearby Yadkin Valley is also home to dozens of wineries and vineyards, offering tastings and tours for wine lovers.

Quality of Life

But the town’s exceptional quality of life is the biggest draw for those considering a move to Mount Airy. With a population of just over 10,000, Mount Airy offers a close-knit community feel, where neighbors look out for one another, and everyone knows your name. The town boasts excellent schools, a low crime rate, and a cost of living well below the national average, making it an attractive option for families and retirees.

According to data from Sperling’s Best Places, the cost of living in Mount Airy is nearly 20% lower than the national average, with exceptionally affordable housing costs. The median home price in the town is just $139,000, compared to a national median of $231,000. This means residents can enjoy a high quality of life without breaking the bank.

The town’s climate is another major draw, with mild winters and warm, sunny summers perfect for outdoor activities. According to U.S. Climate Data, the average temperature in Mount Airy ranges from a low of 28 degrees Fahrenheit in January to a high of 87 degrees in July, with an average of 215 sunny days per year. This means that residents can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, from hiking and biking to fishing and golfing, throughout the year.

Community Pride

However, the most compelling reason for making Mount Airy a home is the sense of community and pride permeating every aspect of the town’s life. From the annual Mayberry Days festival, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors yearly, to the town’s thriving downtown district, with its unique shops and restaurants, Mount Airy is where people come together to celebrate their shared history and heritage.

At the same time, the town is looking to the future, with a growing economy attracting new businesses and industries. The North Carolina Granite Corporation, a significant employer in the city for over a century, continues to thrive. Latest advanced manufacturing and biotechnology companies are choosing to make Mount Airy their home.

Mount Airy offers a unique combination of small-town charm, natural beauty, and modern-day amenities for those looking for a place to visit or call home. With its rich history, vibrant arts and culture scene, and exceptional quality of life, it’s no wonder that so many people are discovering the magic of this remarkable place. Whether you’re a fan of The Andy Griffith Show or simply looking for a new place to put down roots, Mount Airy will leave a lasting impression.