I've just spotted the Robert L. Doughton marker a few miles away in Laurel Springs and now, the…read moremarker for his brother here in downtown Sparta. Yes, brothers. Rufus was the elder and spent much of his career in North Carolina state politics. The marker is in front of the Alleghany County Courthouse and reads, "Legislator, 14 terms. Lieutenant Governor, 1893-1897. Headed Revenue & Highway Commissions. Was University of North Carolina Trustee for 56 years. Office was 30 feet west." Brothers Rufus and Robert Doughton were major political figures who shaped both state and national policy, with Rufus rising through North Carolina's legislature and Robert serving long‑term in Congress. Rufus, born in 1857 in Laurel Springs and educated locally and at the University of North Carolina, built a legal career in Sparta before winning his first legislative seat in 1887 and eventually serving as lieutenant governor. He remained a powerful advocate for western North Carolina, backing the state's landmark 1921 highway bond program and later serving as Commissioner of Revenue and chairman of the Highway Commission. Rufus retired from public life in 1933 and died in 1945, leaving a legacy closely intertwined with his brother's long federal career. [Review 883 of 2026 - 4774 in North Carolina - 26064 overall]

The Andy Griffith Museum is in the small town of Mount Airy, NC where he grew up. The museum mainly…read morefocuses on the Andy Griffith show, but also displays his original elementary school auditorium and stage where he first stepped foot on any stage in the world and gave a performance solo when his friend backed out. The museum also covers his movie career and Matlock career as he got older.

Andy Griffith monument located outside of hometown hero Andy Griffith museum…read moreIn the stars hometown of mount airy North Carolina aka Mayberry. The statues features the famed opening credit scene from the Andy Griffith show featuring sheriff Taylor walking his son opie to their favorite fishing hole....admit it you are currently whistling the theme song in your head or out loud right now aren't you? Overall a really done statue that captures the essence of the wonderful Andy Griffith show.

The whittling wall is a really cool and creative public art sculpture located in mount airy North…read moreCarolina aka Mayberry. My buddy and I was exploring the historic Main Street area when we seen this Brick wall with realistic looking brick colored figures carved into them. This piece was equally creepy and impressive. Overall this is one of the most unique, cooler pieces of public arts I've ever came across and will be very memorable For me.

This was an awesome experience to see you while we were in mayberrry. We are walking around, trying…read moreto find a different landmarks in public. Hartman came across the Wailing Wall. It was a nice addition to the mayberrry City.

The Alleghany County Courthouse in Sparta, NC, is a working courthouse. It was built in 1933 after…read morea huge fire in 1932 destroyed a block of businesses in Downtown Sparta, including the 1909 county courthouse. The original 1933 brick structure was designed by prominent architect Harry Barton and constructed by the Fowler-Jones Lumber Company, using the neoclassical design to restore its presence in Downtown Sparta. It was built during the Great Depression, so the lean times meant fewer lavish features. The building's front facade layout features a classic tetrastyle (four-column) Tuscan order portico that greets visitors at the sidewalk. It was built to be the center of Downtown Sparta. It was built in an H-shape design to allow more natural light into the courthouse and offices, which was a popular design in the early 20th century. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 10, 1979. The 1933 courthouse was eventually outgrown; it needed to be expanded and did not meet ADA standards or have needed safety measures. An extensive interior remodel of Barton's layout was completed on July 1, 2025. The modern upgrade ensured the courthouse met strict fire codes and safety measures for entering the building. They were able to do all this without changing the historical facade, simply making better use of what was inside. The court handles district court cases, divorces, misdemeanors, traffic court, child custody, and civil cases. Superior court handles civil cases over $30,000, felony cases, and appeals from the district court. Additionally, the Clerk of Superior Court manages the complete archive of county court records, estates, wills, and electronic eFiling systems. The Sheriff's Office Security Annex provides secure, separate holding cells and controlled transit corridors to keep inmates completely isolated from the public during high-profile felony hearings. Needless to say, this is an incredibly busy building!

My 81st North Carolina county courthouse, out of the 100 counties, I arrived here as the sun was…read moresetting which made for a great photo opportunity with the light as it faces southwest into the sunset. Late on Friday so the courthouse was closed, but I was able to walk around and appreciate the beauty and structure easily. The Alleghany County Courthouse in Sparta is one of those buildings that rewards a stop even if you're just passing through, a solid early twentieth-century civil landmark completed in 1910. It was designed by Wheeler & Runge, the same firm responsible for several western North Carolina courthouses. It is a Classical Revival structure with the symmetry, brickwork, and restrained ornament that defined the era's public architecture. Alleghany County itself was formed in 1859 and named for the Allegheny Mountains, reflecting the region's geography rather than a person. Even with later updates, the courthouse still anchors downtown Sparta with the kind of confident, small-county presence that makes these stops worth seeking out. [Review 884 of 2026 - 4775 in North Carolina - 26065 overall]

Hubby and I wanted to explore Mt Airy on this lovely Monday early morning. Tickets are 10.00 a…read moreadult and plenty of parking around the museum. There are two small section one upstairs and the down stairs. I would say this museum is on the smaller side. We were done within 25 mins. It's nice to see things from the show since I did grow up watching this over at my grand parents house.

Perhaps the number one thing to do in Mount Airy and we really enjoyed it. Less than an hour to…read moretour through this small museum, watching the clips from movies and TV shows, viewing the exhibits and reading through the explanations of all the memorabilia. Lots to see! I think it's best to come early just after they open as it's not a very large space and it does get crowded. And don't miss the Siamese Twins Museum across the street - there is a combined admission. [Review 1760 of 2024 - 3680 in North Carolina - 22783 overall]

Cute town based on The TV show Mayberry R.FD. Starring…read moreAndy Griffith, Don Knotts and Ron Howard. Friendly cute stores on Main Street

This was alot of fun. We were in Mayberry Courthouse for the day. My buddy and I visited Mayberry…read moreover the summer. We had a great time and it was very fun to see all the sights and scenes from the beloved TV show. This is a great addition to the tour and the town. I would recommend checking it out as it has many fun tidbits from Andy and Barney. Goober says hey! Hey to Goober.

Final resting place of the most famous conjoined twins, this cemetery in Mount Airy is adjacent to…read moreUS-74. The twins were born in 1811 and traveled the world. They were joined by a bridge of cartilage. Why are they here? Well, during a trip to North Carolina, they simply fell in love with the state (Who wouldn't?) and in 1843, married Adelaide and Sarah Anne Yates, sisters native to the area. The brothers ran the plantation and lived together until tensions between Adelaide and Sara Anne forced them to set up separate households in the town of White Plains. Between their two marriages, the brothers produced a staggering 21 children. They passed in 1874 and their wives were buried next to them in their final plot. Some 1500 descendants of the twins still reside in the area. The grace is easy to find behind the church. There is parking in the church parking lot. And if you're staying at the neighboring RV park, there is an unmarked path to the cemetery. [Review 14983 overall, 485 of 2021, number 2849 in North Carolina.]

This was a fascinating find for me, as I am (by marriage, albeit not by blood) related to the…read morefamous Bunker twins. My grandfather's aunt (i.e., my great-great aunt) Elizabeth "Betty" Lee-Jones married (I believe) Chang Bunker's grandson, Franklin Davis Jones, in nearby Surrey, North Carolina in 1904. (The couple moved to Idaho. He died in the early Sixties; she died in 1973.)

Darlin family farm is not an actual farm. Instead it is a homage and building facade to characters…read moreof the famed tv show the Andy Griffith show in historic downtown mount Airy North Carolina aka Mayberry. This barn and truck are simply Photo ops and sit next to other Mayberry photo ops and the gift stores inside Wally's and the Mayberry hotel. Overall a really fun photo ops and it's cool to see an homage to the whacky darlin family that was lovable reoccurring characters in the show.

Darlin family farm is not an actual farm.My buddy and I visited Mayberry over the summer. We had a…read moregreat time and it was very fun to see all the sights and scenes from the beloved TV show. This is a great addition to the tour and the town. I would recommend checking it out as it has many fun tidbits from Andy and Barney. Goober says hey! Hey to Goober.