

When Bavier died, she left part of her estate to the Siler City Police Department and UNC-TV, now known as PBS North Carolina.Įven now, before the home has been transformed to an official tourist destination by Nail, it is already known to draw fans of “The Andy Griffith Show” looking for a glimpse of “Aunt Bee’s” real-life home.

An Associated Press obituary said Bavier used the home’s downstairs shower as a litter box, but there are no indications that was actually the case, according to later owners of the home. The home also has a basement, attic, two-car garage and porches, bringing its total footprint to about 9,000-square-feet.īefore her death, Bavier was known in Siler City to keep to herself and be reclusive, living alone with her 14 cats. The N&O previously reported that each room in the house has two entrances, which allows people to walk through the entire house without having to turn around. Inside, there are five bedrooms and four bathrooms, along with 11-foot-tall ceilings, crystal chandeliers, hardwood floors and ornate woodwork. A reclusive person, she refused media interviews, and when she was in the hospital she would only agree to see Andy Griffith, Don Knotts or Ron Howard. Bavier had settled in Siler City, North Carolina in 1972. The large, stately home has a brick exterior with stone accents. She was the only one from a large city and the fact that she could portray Aunt Bee showed the depth of her talent. When the home was previously for sale in 2009, The Mount Airy News reported that the house was custom built in 1951 by a local doctor, whose wife was a horticulturist.

Nail told The News + Record that the 5,000-square-feet, three-story home “was a mess” when she first bought it, and that it will need significant work - totaling about $250,000 - before it can fully operate for tourists, or whatever purpose its future may hold. Chatham County tax records show the home has an assessed value of about $361,000.

The house is best known as the former home of Frances Bavier, who herself is best known as Aunt Bee from. The Zillow listing for the home says the home sold in August of last year for $375,000 - significantly less than the $600,000 price tag on the home when it was originally listed in September 2020, according to Zillow. Various sources over the years have reported that Andy Griffith and Ron Howard made a trip together to visit Bavier at her Siler City home some sources. April 19, 2021, 5:06 PM View photos of 503 West Elk Street in Siler City, N.C. Bavier appeared on the show for over eight years, during which she won hearts with her southern matriarch persona. Nail moved to Siler City from California after she purchased the home, The News + Record reported. Francis Bavier was an American stage and television actress famous for her role as Aunt Bee on The Andy Griffith Show and its spinoff series, Mayberry R.F.D., from 1960 to 1970. In an article posted last week, Nail, the new owner, told The Chatham News + Record she is considering plans to turn the stately home into either an official tourist attraction for fans of “The Andy Griffith Show,” or possibly a bed and breakfast. Chatham County tax records show that Kathryn Nail now owns the property.īavier purchased the home in 1972 and lived there until her death at age 86, in 1989, The N&O previously reported. Her reputation as a cook also caught the attention of a Siler City television station that. in the Chatham County town of Siler City, was up for sale last year, The News & Observer reported. Aunt Bee Taylor is one of the alltime greats in the kitchen. 4 bedrooms on second level with Jack’n’Jill bathrooms.Perhaps the most famous home in Siler City - the one previously owned by Frances Bavier, who played Aunt Bee on “The Andy Griffith Show” - has a new owner, and fans of the classic show could eventually be able to visit the home as a tourist attraction. “This is your chance to own a part of NC history! The former home of “Aunt Bee” from The Andy Griffith Show! This beautiful estate boasts a stately entrance, 11’ ceilings, hardwood floors throughout, 3 fireplaces, large main level primary bedroom, huge living room & kitchen, spacious dining, cozy library, office, & sunroom. The photos on the Zillow site show that the home has been beautifully restored and maintained, keeping the 1950s retro charm of the tile bathrooms. 15.īavier also left a good bit of her estate to UNC-TV. The principal is kept at that amount, The News & Observer previously reported, and the interest is divided between staff of roughly 20 every year around Dec. But when she died, she left a $100,000 trust fund for the Siler City Police Department. Bavier was known around town as a bit of a recluse, living alone with her cats. Frances Bavier really was one of television’s great ladies and she forever inscribed herself in the history books as Aunt Bee in the legendary comedy show The Andy Griffith Show.
