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The town of Mount Airy may look familiar to lovers of old time television searching for small town Americana. Mount Airy provided the backdrop for Andy’s imaginary town of Mayberry and continues to offer architectural props for modern sojourns to simpler times. Check out the colonial-style Mayberry Motor Inn along the US 52 bypass. It’s the one with “Sheriff Taylor’s” squad car a truck from “Emmet’s Fix-it-Shop” parked in front. Of course, fans of the old Holiday Inn “Great Sign” will also delight to discover one of the few of these marvels still standing just down the road. Repainted as the Star Light Motel, the sign offers a striking reminder of “The Nation’s Innkeeper” before it became yet another monopoly piece for an international conglomerate.

Asheville, NC, Motel Postcard (click for larger view)

All text copyright Andrew Wood. Photos copyright Jenny Wood and Andy Wood.