It’s a sentimental spot for some, a slice of the Mayberry myth for others. But either way the old city jail on City Hall Street leaves visitors and former employees distraught at its current condition. And now’s not a time to pour much money into successful tourism attractions, let alone decaying ones.
Enter Hampton Inn, which runs a program that rejuvenates historical sites across the country. The jail has been nominated, but whether it’s selected depends on how many folks go to Hampton’s site and vote to have it saved. Seems simple enough, but the old city jail’s competition is … well … older. A 19th century plantation and a 18th century home both carry more historical cache than a 20th century lockup. The wild card, of course, is the King of Andy. The old city jail is a tourist attraction because of its connection, however contrived, to the jail seen frequently on The Andy Griffith Show (which in reality was no more than a set in California). We’ll see if that translates to votes this month, or if the jail’s potential saviors bestow landmark status elsewhere.
Until and unless the old jail gets a major facelift, it should long ago have been taken off the map/list of ” places to see” that is given out to visitors. In its present condition it is certainly not something we need tourists to see.