SILER CITY — As many fans of “The Andy Griffith Show” are aware, Frances Bavier, who played Aunt Bee, spent her waning years living in Siler City.

Now, the house in which she resided is once again up for sale and the owners believe it is the perfect place for a TAGS fan.

“If we could find one of the Andy Griffith fanatics that has the money, I think they would like it,” said Larry Russell, who owns the house with his wife, Vickie.

The three-story brick home was built in 1951-52 by a local doctor. Bavier bought the house in 1972 and lived there until her death in 1989. Including the basement and the porches, the house stretches to 9,000 square feet.

According to Russell, the house would make an ideal bed and breakfast because of its layout and its connection to the show. Through the years, he has had people come to the door asking for a tour of the house that Aunt Bee lived in or wanting to spend the night.

“We’ve had some real experiences with it,” he said.

Each room in the house has two entrances, allowing people to walk through the entire house without having to turn around. There are also 11-foot ceilings on the main floor with crystal chandeliers, hardwood floors and a recreation room in the basement. According to the Realtors, it would also make a good living history museum.

“Just the house itself would attract a tremendous amount of attention. The woodwork is ornate and very beautiful. It was built exclusively for the first owner,” said Richard Dunn, Realtor with Pickett and Baugh Realty, Inc., the group in charge of selling the house. “It’s very unique. Sometimes people with money want something special and this is special.”

The Russells, though they have enjoyed living in the house, are ready to move to a smaller space. They have four children who are all grown and have moved away, meaning they no longer have a need for 9,000 square feet.

“As my children were growing up, we all sat around and watched ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ together. It was a good wholesome program for the whole family. We still like to sit down and watch it,” said Larry.

The house sits on a one-acre lot which was cultivated by the first owner’s wife, a horticulturist.

While the house is sure to attract a great deal of attention because it did belong to Bavier, Dunn plans to make sure anyone who calls to see the house is a serious buyer and not someone wanting a tour.

“From a business point, it’s a privilege to have the listing on it. It’s a historic home in that anyone in North Carolina knows Aunt Bee. I think it says a whole lot in itself to say we have the listing,” said Dunn. “Houses like this only come available once or twice every hundred years.”

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.