Pedro’s South of the Border
If you’ve ever traveled I-95 within 150 or so miles north or south of the North & South Carolina border you’ve seen the billboards…but have you ever experienced it? Experienced the enigmatic South of the Border? Well, after having daydreamed past Pedroland several times over the past several years I had to finally put curiosity to rest and answer the burning question.
Can I go to the top of the towering Sombrero? The answer is a resounding yes. For one US dollar you can ride the urine smelling elevator a little closer to heaven and take in a wonderful view of…highway I-95.
From the all-knowing Wikipedia…
South of the Border was developed by Al Schafer (1914-2001), who founded a beer stand at the location in 1950 and steadily expanded it with Mexican trinkets and numerous kitsch items. He had a great deal of success because of his location, which was immediately across the border from a dry North Carolina county, and grew his small business into what was, by local standards, an economic empire. South of the Border grew to over a square mile, required its own infrastructure, and had its own fire and police departments. Schafer became reclusive, building a large compound of interconnected houses outside the Dillon city limits. At South of the Border, he kept secret apartments hidden in the backs of restaurants and shops.
The entire motif of South of the Border can be described as intentionally camp.
The brim of the Sombrero provides a view of the vastness of Pedroland and the huge number of hotel rooms, the church and the convention center that make up this playground. If anything Pedroland is nice a distraction from the monotonous I-95 and a cheap source of gasoline.
Someday I shall return to South of the Border and shoot this park of wonder in the beautiful morning light (aka, the golden hour), but for now you can view the midday sun blasted photos in this Flickr set.
Tags: North Carolina, South Carolina, South of the Border
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9 Responses to “ Pedro’s South of the Border ”
That’s pretty funny – I’ve driven by there myself a few times, but have never been so brave as to actually go in the tourist trap. Kudos to your fortitude!
Too funny! I have driven past there many a times but I honestly don’t think I have ever been compelled to stop there
I don’t know how many times I’ve driven by, and stopped once or twice. But never rode anything. Sad, I know.
It has a starring role in “Forces of Nature”, a campy Sandra Bullock movie. Fits right in.
I’ve stopped here numberous times but have never had the guts to take that elevator ride. The Amaretto dusted pecans are the best. As a matter of fact, I am driving to South Carolina tomorrow and plan to make a stop!
I am totally taking the sombrero ride next time I visit South Carolina…or am I, lol!
I usto hitchhike I 95 back in the early 70’s and i remember pedros when it was just the fireworks sheds across the street. the next time i went there it was a little cafe and the fireworks shop and a handfull of motel rooms.The next time I stopped there was now a two story motel with abrand new bigger and better sit down restaraunt andnow theold cafe and motel were now a seperate mini mall.I havent been there since and i just had to see whats become of it.I’m amased at how far you,ve goe since my last visit and hope I have occasion to pass that way again. hairebeare
Thank you Sirs, very good blog very interesting wish you the best thanks for all information.Wish you get back to me! Thanks
I stopped there countless times as used to travel from Columbia, SC to Wake Forest, NC every weekend. Now I edit a magazine about the American South (although I live in England) and want to do a feature on South-of-the-Border in the next possible issue. Please send me any interesting or informative stories or facts about SOTB. This is a great opportunity for businesses, travel industry personnel, and tourist agencies to let me do their job for them.
Thanks y’all!
Daniel Lee
dosmaridos@gmail.com
We stopped there around mid february about 9:45 on a sat night and everything was closed very dissappointed even the truck stop was closed