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 so named because it is just south of the border between North Carolina and South Carolina. The rest area contains restaurants, gas stations, a motel, a small amusement park, shopping, and fireworks. Its mascot is Pedro, a Mexican bandito.

South of the Border was developed by Alan Schafer (1914 - July 19, 2001), who founded a beer stand at the location in 1949, chosen because of its location adjacent to Robeson County which was at one time, one of many dry North Carolina counties. Business was steadily expanded with Mexican trinkets and numerous kitsch items. He had a great deal of success turning South of the Border into a "tourist mecca". 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. Assisting in this growth was the fact that the new (at the time) Interstate 95 and the existing US 301 criss-crosses at the site of the South of the Border complex. 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. The revenues generated from the higher than average numbers of patrons allowed South of the Border to grow and expand into the Mexican theme kitsch location it is today.

NOTE: Karen and Lee Duquette first visited South of the Border in 1975 with their children. That Flashback is shown at the bottom of this page.

The 165-foot tall Sombrero Tower, built in the 1970's, is one of its main attractions, as is the South of the Border's large neon welcome sign with Pedro who straddles the SOB entrance. At 97-feet tall it is "the largest freestanding sign east of the Mississippi."

Below: The lovable mascot of the place is Pedro, a grinning caricature with a moustache topped with an over-sized sombrero. Pedro speaks from the billboards, and he is everywhere.

Below are photos of the two RV Gypsies with two other Pedro's.

Below: Lee Duquette fought with a big gorilla while another gorilla grabbed Karen Duquette

Below: Lee Duquette tried on some crazy hats

FLASHBACKto 1975 - South of the Border
with Renee and Brian Duquette