TV Land's Mayberry statue suffers serial hosing in merciless Raleigh

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TV Land's Mayberry statue suffers serial hosing in merciless Raleigh

The Andy and Opie statue, erected in Raleigh, NC's Pullen Park in October 2003, has suffered a series of strange vandal attacks. Cable's TV Land commissioned the bronze sculpture depicting Andy and Opie Taylor, the fictional North Carolina father and son played in the 1960s by Andy Griffith and child actor Ron Howard. In the last few months, the statue has seen its plaque stolen, then the fishing poles. The latest assault was a rude whitewashing with paint.

Many have argued the statue rightfully belongs in Mount Airy, NC. Mount Airy -- home of the Andy Griffiths Museum, annual Mayberry Days festival, Snappy Lunch Cafe -- would prefer to just get its own statue. Update: Their dream comes true in Sept. 2004, a replica installed on the Andy Griffiths Playhouse lawn . [06/12/2004]

Statue of Andy and Opie

Address:: Ashe Ave., Raleigh, NC
Directions:: Pullen Park. I-440 exit 2A. Drive east on Western Blvd for two miles. Turn left onto Ashe Ave, then left into Pullen Park. The statue is to the left, to the left of the carousel.
Hours:: July 2011: Reported inaccessible.

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