# Smallest real town or city where a fictional TV series has been set **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 9, 2002, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042 "2002-06-09T00:57:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2002, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/1 "2002-06-09T00:57:24Z")
**What I’m looking for is the smallest real town or city that has been used as the setting of a TV series, providing that the series was set in the same period it was produced in.** (For example, a series produced in the 1970s that was set in the 1970s, etc.) It seems like most fictional TV series that are set in small towns are set in towns you can’t find on any map, like Cicely, Alaska (_Northern Exposure_), Mayberry, North Carolina (_The Andy Griffith Show_), etc. When a small town in a TV series is real, the show is usually set far in the past, like Walnut Grove, Minnesota (_Little House on the Prairie_), Virginia City, Nevada (_Bonanza_), etc. I’m not looking for a small town that the characters may have visited once or twice, but a place where a significant portion of the action takes place, week after week. I thought of **Tuckahoe, New York** (_Maude_), current population about 6,500. I don’t know what the population was during the run of the show in the 1970s. I also thought of **Rome, Wisconsin** (_Picket Fences_). There really is a Rome, Wisc. (population unknown to me), but I’m not sure it should count. I don’t think the producers of the show had the real town in mind when he decided on the setting. I’m willing to be convinced otherwise, though. Anything smaller? Mostly I’m interested in U.S. places and U.S. TV series, but I’m not a xenophobe, so bring 'em on. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2002, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/2 "2002-06-09T01:11:26Z")
Pixley, California? You know, near Hooterville, Green Acres, and Petticoat Junction? ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2002, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/3 "2002-06-09T06:20:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bibliophage \* > \*\*\*\*I also thought of **Rome, Wisconsin** (_Picket Fences_). There really is a Rome, Wisc. (population unknown to me), but I’m not sure it should count. I don’t think the producers of the show had the real town in mind when he decided on the setting. I’m willing to be convinced otherwise, though. > \*\* I used to work for the Wisconsin Film Office. The producers of _Picket Fences_, as well as the producers of any television program set in a real town, _have_ to be conscious of the real town. As the writers continually create fictional persons and businesses, the legal department of the production company or network (or outside firms that specialize in this) checks if any similarly named person or business exists in the real town, to prevent potential libel problems. There are actually two places in Wisconsin named Rome. One is a township in Adams County, 1990 population 1,674. The other is an unincorporated community in Sullivan township, Jefferson County. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2002, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/4 "2002-06-09T20:02:37Z")
“Fawlty Towers” was most certainly set in the real Torquay, England, pop. about 60,000. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2002, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/5 "2002-06-09T20:43:10Z")
I hate to tell you, **bib** , but Mayberry, NC exists. I’ve driven through it. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7feea3/32.png) [@PatrickM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickM)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2002, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/6 "2002-06-09T20:50:42Z")
Let’s see, there’s New Rochelle, NY (current population approx 70,000), home of the Petrie family from the “The Dick Van Dyke Show”, and Sparta, Mississippi, home of “The Heat of the Night”. I’m guessing the people of Sparta weren’t too happy about having their city be the imaginery site of 20 some TV murders per year. ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Kahuna\_Burger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Big\_Kahuna\_Burger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Kahuna_Burger)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2002, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/7 "2002-06-09T22:51:15Z")
Wings took place on Nantucket, which doesn’t have a very high year-round population. ---
**Author:** ![c\_carol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e79b87/32.png) [@c\_carol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_carol)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2002, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/8 "2002-06-09T23:55:48Z")
> [@](#): > > _originally posted by Jonathan Chance_ > I hate to tell you, bib, but Mayberry, NC exists. I’ve driven through it No it doesn’t. I’d bet that what you drove through was Mount Airy, NC, Andy Griffith’s real hometown. A lot of Mayberry was based on Mount Airy, and Mount Airy uses the Mayberry image to promote tourism, but it’s really not Mayberry. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/9 "2002-06-10T00:02:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Big Kahuna Burger \* > \*\*Wings took place on Nantucket, which doesn’t have a very high year-round population. \*\* You beat me. I couldn’t remember which Cape cod town it was set in, though, so I didn’t mention it. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/10 "2002-06-10T00:54:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by c\_carol \* > \*\* > > No it doesn’t. I’d bet that what you drove through was Mount Airy, NC, Andy Griffith’s real hometown. A lot of Mayberry was based on Mount Airy, and Mount Airy uses the Mayberry image to promote tourism, but it’s really not Mayberry. \*\* c\_carol is correct. Here is the Mayberry Days festival sponsored by the town of Mt. Airy. > **[Home - Mayberry, NC](https://www.visitmayberry.com/)** > > Mountains. Music. Mayberry. Merlot. Mayberry's Andy Griffith grew up in Mount Airy, NC. Walk Main Street and see the town of Mayberry from The Andy Griffith Show. You even get an “Elvis” thrown in… > [@](#): > > MICHAEL HOOVER in “MEMORIES OF ELVIS” FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 - 7:00PM DOWNTOWN CINEMA - TICKETS $15.00 > > Mayberry fans will remember the talented Michael Hoover from his appearances at past Mayberry Days Proclamations and the parades, as well as his show-stopping performances in Colonel Tim’s Talent Time. > > Michael returns to Mayberry Days 2002, with his electrifying “Memories of Elvis” show on stage at the Downtown Cinema Theatre on Friday, September 27 at 7:00pm. The Mayberry Days character look-alikes will be joining the fun on stage, so don’t miss out! Reserved seats are only $15. Call SAC at 336/786-7998 or 1-800-286-6193 for tickets. Be sure to check out his website by clicking on his photo below ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/11 "2002-06-10T01:26:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by c\_carol \* > \*\* > > No it doesn’t. I’d bet that what you drove through was Mount Airy, NC, Andy Griffith’s real hometown. A lot of Mayberry was based on Mount Airy, and Mount Airy uses the Mayberry image to promote tourism, but it’s really not Mayberry. \*\* Apparently, Mayberry is a bit run down by the time Kirk and Spock get there… [http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/startrek/index.htm](http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/startrek/index.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/12 "2002-06-10T01:36:43Z")
Although set in the imaginary town of Cicely, Northern Exposure was filmed in the town of Roslyn, (IIRC) WA, population 800. Hence “Roslyn('s) Cafe” with the teensy “s” tacked on as an afterthought. That was a real mural in the town of Roslyn. I think they had an episode to explain who “Roslyn” was. If memory serves she was Cicely’s lover/life partner. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/13 "2002-06-10T01:48:43Z")
Although set in the imaginary town of Cicely, Northern Exposure was filmed in the town of Roslyn, (IIRC) WA, population 800. Hence “Roslyn('s) Cafe” with the teensy “s” tacked on as an afterthought. That was a real mural in the town of Roslyn. I think they had an episode to explain who “Roslyn” was. If memory serves she was Cicely’s lover/life partner. ---
**Author:** ![Squish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Squish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squish)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/14 "2002-06-10T02:11:47Z")
Wasn’t there a short-lived TV show in the 70s set in Madrid, New Mexico (population 300)? ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/15 "2002-06-10T02:54:18Z")
IIRC, “Growing Pains” was originally set in Boise, Idaho, population about 70,000 at the time. After a couple years, I think the porducers decided that the chracters had been living in the NYMSA all along. ---
**Author:** ![shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shrew)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/16 "2002-06-10T03:16:53Z")
_Young Americans_ was filmed in Havre De Grace, Maryland, which is a small town outside of Baltimore. But _YA_ only lasted for eight episodes, so it might not fit your criteria. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/17 "2002-06-10T05:49:11Z")
I almost forgot about Bagdad, Arizona and the Café: [http://www.wemweb.com/bagdad.html](http://www.wemweb.com/bagdad.html) [http://www.pe.net/~rksnow/azcountybagdad.htm](http://www.pe.net/~rksnow/azcountybagdad.htm) > [@](#): > > The population of Bagdad is approximately 1,858 (1990). > Bagdad location: in eastern Yavapai County, Bagdad is a small mining community with very affordable housing. (I bet) Bagdad Cafe (AKA Sidewinder Cafe) was the film location for a movie by the same name, starring Jack Palance, and a TV Series starring Whoopie Goldberg. The TV series was kinda ok, but it had the bad luck of launching during the Gulf War. It was cancelled after one season. ---
**Author:** ![rackensack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@rackensack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rackensack)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/18 "2002-06-10T05:52:25Z")
Well, according to the Arkansas Department of Economic Development, [Evening Shade, Arkansas](http://www.aedc.state.ar.us/Profiles/County.asp?County=Sharp%20County) has a population of only 465 (other sources give even lower figures, but I figured that was a reasonably “official” source). Evening Shade was the nominal setting for the TV series of the same name that ran for 101 episodes on CBS from 1990-1994, starring Burt Reynolds, Marilu Henner, Ossie Davis, Charles Durning, etc. [This site](http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/pulpfiction/99/shade_tr.html), however, claims that the population of the town in the series was 11, 247. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/19 "2002-06-10T15:25:33Z")
Roswell, NM of **Roswell** claims to have 40,000 people, but that seems to be a rather high estimate. I have driven through there and I doubt that amount. I would put it around 10,000 less. Boulder, CO at the time of **Mork and Mindy** was around 40,000. ---
**Author:** ![Canyon\_Surfer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Canyon\_Surfer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canyon_Surfer)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042/20 "2002-06-10T17:11:49Z")
The UK TV series _Last of the Summer Wine_ was set in the West Yorkshire town of [Holmfirth](http://www.area5.co.uk/holmfirth/) Population is around the 30,000 level. For those of you who have never seen the program, it is about three retired men and the antics that they get up to around the town and the surrounding area. Some great comedy. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-real-town-or-city-where-a-fictional-tv-series-has-been-set/113042.md?page=2)