South of the Border (attraction)
Encyclopedia
South of the Border is a rest stop and roadside attraction
on Interstate 95
and US Highway 301/501 between Dillon, South Carolina
and Rowland, North Carolina
. It is named "south of the border" being south of the U.S. state of North Carolina
. The rest area features not only restaurants, gas stations and a motel, but also a small amusement park, shopping (including, formerly, adult entertainment at the "Dirty Old Man Shop"), and, famously, fireworks. Its mascot
is Pedro, an extravagantly stereotypical
Mexican
bandido. It is known for being advertised by hundreds of billboards
along surrounding highways, starting over 150 miles away. Well-known landmarks in the area, the irreverent signs feature Pedro, wearing an oversized sombrero
and poncho, counting down the number of miles to, and promoting, South of the Border.
items. He had a great deal of success turning South of the Border into a "tourist mecca" because of his location, which was immediately across the border from Robeson County
which was at one time, one of many dry North Carolina
counties. He 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.
South of the Border serves as a rest stop for vacationers and tourists traveling to and from Florida. US 501 is also the main route to Myrtle Beach
which makes South of the Border a welcome rest stop for people traveling to and from that area. The revenues generated from the higher than average numbers of patrons allowed South of the Border to grow and expand into the Mexican themed kitsch location it is today.
was filmed at South of the Border. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke
, originally from nearby Dillon, South Carolina, worked for a summer as a poncho-wearing waiter at South of the Border to help pay his way through Harvard. South of the Border also hosted the bar/night club 'Pedro's' from 1985-1998. This was a popular spot for revellers including many Lumbee
Indians who visited the club from neighbouring Robeson County.
. Adobe
style ornament is applied over inexpensive concrete block structures and combined with neon signage in Mid-century Modern (Googie architecture
) or Roadside high-camp style. Most of the architectural styles of South of the Border are of the "Decorated Shed" type (Robert Venturi
, Denise Scott Brown
) however some aspects are "ducks" i.e.: designed as stand-alone advertisements for actual attractions—particularly the trademark giant, sombrero-clad neon figure which functions as the park's motel front signage and the illuminated sombrero-shaped tower which is visible for miles from the Carolina countryside.
/ Interstate 95 (NC)
are the following:
Roadside attraction
A roadside attraction is a feature along the side of a road, that is frequently advertised with billboards to attract tourists. In general, these are places one might stop on the way to somewhere else, rather than being a final or primary destination in and of themselves. The modern...
on Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in South Carolina
Interstate 95 is a major Interstate Highway, running along the East Coast of the United States from Florida to Maine. In South Carolina, I-95 runs approximately parallel to the Atlantic Ocean shore although about inland, from Hardeeville in the south to Dillon in the northeast.-Route...
and US Highway 301/501 between Dillon, South Carolina
Dillon, South Carolina
Dillon, South Carolina, the county seat of Dillon County, was established on December 22, 1888. The name of the city came from James W. Dillon, who was a key component in bringing a railroad through this area of the state, which led to development and formation of the County. Dillon’s population...
and Rowland, North Carolina
Rowland, North Carolina
Rowland is a town in Robeson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,146 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rowland is located at ....
. It is named "south of the border" being south of the U.S. state of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. The rest area features not only restaurants, gas stations and a motel, but also a small amusement park, shopping (including, formerly, adult entertainment at the "Dirty Old Man Shop"), and, famously, fireworks. Its mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
is Pedro, an extravagantly stereotypical
Stereotype
A stereotype is a popular belief about specific social groups or types of individuals. The concepts of "stereotype" and "prejudice" are often confused with many other different meanings...
Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
bandido. It is known for being advertised by hundreds of billboards
Billboard (advertising)
A billboard is a large outdoor advertising structure , typically found in high traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertisements to passing pedestrians and drivers...
along surrounding highways, starting over 150 miles away. Well-known landmarks in the area, the irreverent signs feature Pedro, wearing an oversized sombrero
Sombrero
Sombrero in English refers to a type of wide-brimmed hat originating in Mexico. In Spanish, however, it is the generic word for "hat", which originates from "sombra", meaning "shade"....
and poncho, counting down the number of miles to, and promoting, South of the Border.
Historic background
South of the Border was developed by Alan Schafer (1914 – July 19, 2001), who founded a beer stand at the location in 1950 and steadily expanded it with Mexican trinkets and numerous kitschKitsch
Kitsch is a form of art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art of recognized value. The concept is associated with the deliberate use of elements that may be thought of as cultural icons while making cheap mass-produced objects that...
items. He had a great deal of success turning South of the Border into a "tourist mecca" because of his location, which was immediately across the border from Robeson County
Robeson County, North Carolina
Robeson County is a county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010 it had a population of 134,168. Since then, it has been one of the 10% of United States counties that were majority-minority; its combined population of American Indian, African American and Latino residents comprise over...
which was at one time, one of many dry North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
counties. He 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.
South of the Border serves as a rest stop for vacationers and tourists traveling to and from Florida. US 501 is also the main route to Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is a coastal city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is situated on the center of a large and continuous stretch of beach known as the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina. It is considered to be a major tourist destination in the...
which makes South of the Border a welcome rest stop for people traveling to and from that area. The revenues generated from the higher than average numbers of patrons allowed South of the Border to grow and expand into the Mexican themed kitsch location it is today.
Notable features and people
Part of the film Forces of NatureForces of Nature
Forces of Nature is a 1999 romantic comedy film, directed by Bronwen Hughes, and starring Academy Award winners Ben Affleck, and Sandra Bullock.-Plot:...
was filmed at South of the Border. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke
Ben Bernanke
Ben Shalom Bernanke is an American economist, and the current Chairman of the Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States. During his tenure as Chairman, Bernanke has overseen the response of the Federal Reserve to late-2000s financial crisis....
, originally from nearby Dillon, South Carolina, worked for a summer as a poncho-wearing waiter at South of the Border to help pay his way through Harvard. South of the Border also hosted the bar/night club 'Pedro's' from 1985-1998. This was a popular spot for revellers including many Lumbee
Lumbee
The Lumbee belong to a state recognized Native American tribe in North Carolina. The Lumbee are concentrated in Robeson County and named for the primary waterway traversing the county...
Indians who visited the club from neighbouring Robeson County.
Architectural styles and decor
The entire motif of South of the Border can be described as intentionally campyCamp (style)
Camp is an aesthetic sensibility that regards something as appealing because of its taste and ironic value. The concept is closely related to kitsch, and things with camp appeal may also be described as being "cheesy"...
. Adobe
Adobe
Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material , which the builders shape into bricks using frames and dry in the sun. Adobe buildings are similar to cob and mudbrick buildings. Adobe structures are extremely durable, and account for...
style ornament is applied over inexpensive concrete block structures and combined with neon signage in Mid-century Modern (Googie architecture
Googie architecture
Googie architecture is a form of modern architecture, a subdivision of futurist architecture influenced by car culture and the Space and Atomic Ages....
) or Roadside high-camp style. Most of the architectural styles of South of the Border are of the "Decorated Shed" type (Robert Venturi
Robert Venturi
Robert Charles Venturi, Jr. is an American architect, founding principal of the firm Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates, and one of the major figures in the architecture of the twentieth century...
, Denise Scott Brown
Denise Scott Brown
Denise Scott Brown, is an architect, planner, writer, educator, and principal of the firm Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates in Philadelphia...
) however some aspects are "ducks" i.e.: designed as stand-alone advertisements for actual attractions—particularly the trademark giant, sombrero-clad neon figure which functions as the park's motel front signage and the illuminated sombrero-shaped tower which is visible for miles from the Carolina countryside.
Billboards
Among the billboards advertising South of the Border along Interstate 95 (SC)Interstate 95 in South Carolina
Interstate 95 is a major Interstate Highway, running along the East Coast of the United States from Florida to Maine. In South Carolina, I-95 runs approximately parallel to the Atlantic Ocean shore although about inland, from Hardeeville in the south to Dillon in the northeast.-Route...
/ Interstate 95 (NC)
Interstate 95 in North Carolina
Interstate 95 is a major Interstate Highway, running along the East Coast of the United States from Florida to Maine. In North Carolina, I-95 runs diagonally across the eastern third of the state, from Rowland in the southwest to Roanoke Rapids in the northeast of the Inner Banks.-Route...
are the following:
| Pedro's Weather Forecast: Chili today, hot tamale! | Keep America Green! Bring Money! |
| You Never Sausage a Place! (You're Always a Wiener at Pedro's!) | Keep yelling, kids! (They'll stop.) |
| Sommtheeng Deeferent | Honeymoon Suites: Heir Conditioned |
| Fort Pedro, Fireworks Capital of the US | Etymologically Correck! |
| Howdy, Pardner! | Top Banana! |
| Pedro's fireworks! Does yours? | Too moch Tequila (Billboard appears upside down) |
| South of the Border | Your sheep are all counted at South of the Border. (has a rotating wheel with sheep painted on it) |
| Caliente! | Smash Hit! (junked car attached to sign) |
| Back up, amigo, you missed it! (just after the exit on I-95) |
See also
- Tourist trapTourist trapA tourist trap is an establishment, or group of establishments, that has been created with the aim of attracting tourists and their money...
- Ethnic stereotypeEthnic stereotypeAn ethnic stereotype is a generalized representation of an ethnic group, composed of what are thought to be typical characteristics of members of the group.Ethnic stereotypes are commonly portrayed in ethnic jokes.-Ethnic stereotypes:*African Americans...
- Wall DrugWall DrugWall Drug Store, often referred to simply as "Wall Drug", is a tourist attraction located in the town of Wall, South Dakota, United States. It is a shopping mall consisting of a drug store, gift shop, restaurants and various other stores. Unlike a traditional shopping mall, all the stores at Wall...
, a similar attraction off Interstate 90Interstate 90Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
in South DakotaSouth DakotaSouth Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
External links
- Official website
- Photo Gallery and Fun Facts about South of the Border - SCIway.net, South Carolina Information Highway
- Article in Roadside America
- Article in RoadTrip America
- Funny Tribute Song and Music Video