• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SC Picture Project

The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

  • FIND A LANDMARK
    • BY CITY
    • BY COUNTY
    • BY CATEGORY
    • BYGONE LANDMARKS
  • ADD IMAGES
  • VOLUNTEER
  • SPONSORS
  • DONATE

South of the Border

SC PICTURE PROJECT 8 Comments

SC Picture Project / Dillon County / South of the Border

Following a bombardment of campy billboards, a giant sombrero looms above the horizon. Nope, that’s not heatwaves coming off the asphalt of I-95 – it’s South of the Border. If the near-incessant advertisements haven’t already worked their way into your subconscious, then veer off the interstate and prepare to be amazed … or disappointed. Either way, this theme park stands as one of the most recognizable landmarks along the I-95’s interminable monotony.

South of the Border

Hugh McLaren of Hanahan, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The 135-acre entertainment complex is located in the Dillon County town of Hamer, a stone’s throw below the North Carolina-South Carolina state line. In 1949 businessman Alan Schafer had the idea of opening a beer stand just below the North Carolina border, giving the business its name. What sounds like a small-time operation actually was quite strategic: many of the counties over the North Carolina line did not allow in alcohol sales, making Schafer’s business a convenient location for residents from both states to grab a beer.

South of the Border Lights

Andy Hunter of North Augusta, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

With business flooding the beer stand, Schafer expanded. Soon the humble beer joint became a destination for motorists looking to stretch their legs and add a little whimsy to roadtrips. The “Mexican” theme is said to have originated when Schafer went on a business trip to Mexico. According to the tale, while there he hired two Mexican men to come and work for the South of the Border Motel, which Schafer added in 1954.

South of the Border Aerial

SCIWAY, 2008 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Motel guests frequently referred to the men as “Pedro,” a common name in Mexico. From that point, the park had a mascot, Pedro, whose caricature image adorns billboards from Virginia to Georgia, hoping to lure travelers to its carnival rides, reptile lagoon, and a view from the 200-foot-tall sombrero tower.

South of the Border

Hugh McLaren of Hanahan, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The business has been accused of racism and insensitivity towards Latinos due to its depictions of Pedro, and many have called for boycotts of the park. Yet the park’s prime location on I-95 still attracts people, either out of curiosity or the need to stop and refuel after a long drive. The park has seen few updates in its 65 years of operation, leaving people to wonder if its 1950s appearance is the result of intentional nostalgia or managerial oversight.

South of the Border

Hugh McLaren of Hanahan, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Regardless, South of the Border is a business that has survived the times. It has received much attention as a roadside attraction and was featured on the Travel Channel and in Time Magazine, which named it one of America’s Top 50 Roadside Attractions in 2010.

South of the Border

Hugh McLaren of Hanahan, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Today, South of the Border seems a little past its prime, which may add to its quirky draw. The gift shops are still there, replete with a bevy of unique junk, and the amusement rides mostly work – when they’re open. A ride up the 200-foot sombrero tower costs only a dollar and provides a unique panorama of South Carolina’s favorite tourist trap.

Plan Your Trip: South of the Border

Where is South of the Border located?
Address: 3346 Highway 301 North, Hamer, SC 29547
GPS Coordinates: 34.498367,-79.309253
Website: http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com/
What else should I see?
Blenheim’s Ginger Ale 0.4 mile
St. Paul's Methodist Church 8.8 miles
Little Rock 9.3 miles
James W. Hamer House 9.8 miles
Show me more like this!
  • Dillon Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Parks
  • See other South Carolina Restaurants
  • See other South Carolina Roadside Oddities
    South of the Border Map

    Please Help Us Stay Online

    We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader’s contribution, larger or small, is valuable. If you have enjoyed this website or found it helpful, please pitch in. Each donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

    Support the SC Picture Project!

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    You may also like

    You may also like

    Bell Buoy SeafoodBell Buoy Seafood Coffeepot Diner CordovaCoffee Pot Diner Francis Marion JohnsonvilleGeneral Francis Marion Statue Dothan Methodist Chapel DillonDothan Methodist Chapel James Dillon HouseJames W. Dillon House

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bubba Cameron says

      June 12, 2019 at 8:21 AM

      Love this place, I make it a point to stop there at least once a year, I even bought a second house in near-by Dillon SC.

      Reply
    2. Stan Lebiednik says

      April 16, 2017 at 3:51 PM

      Great campground – old, but well kept. Everything works very reasonable. Will stop again.

      Reply
    3. Sue jones says

      August 17, 2015 at 12:17 AM

      Stayed at the campground recently. Weird stuff goes on. Scruffy men driving an old van around inside the campground looking at the people who are staying. Creepy. The bathhouses are creepy. Workers at the local stores and restaurants tell the customers that the owners treat them like slaves. One even cried to me that they did not get the hours they were promised and was asking for money. Cameras everywhere. I will not waste my time here again. Beware and watch your environment. Place gives me the creeps.

      Reply
    4. Anthony says

      May 10, 2012 at 2:47 AM

      Stopped there years ago when my grandparents took us to Florida in the late 60’s. Got to finally return there 2 years ago when my wife and I were on our way to Hilton Head. Not very clean, food not very good, and the gifts are a little tacky but it was a great nostalgic visit. Hope to stop there again in October.

      Reply
    5. Donna says

      February 26, 2012 at 2:36 PM

      This place is a history icon. My mother would stop there with me and my brother when we were growing up, then I took my girls while growing up, now my daughter takes her daughter there. This is a family tradition.

      Reply
    6. Marty says

      February 11, 2012 at 4:07 AM

      This place is awesome. I always looked forward to stopping there when I was a kid, and love its history as a grown up.

      Reply
    7. Lynn says

      December 27, 2011 at 9:29 PM

      I love going North & South on I95 looking for the signs. We tried counting them, but that didn’t work out too well. Does anybody know how many there are?

      Reply
    8. JoAnne says

      March 6, 2011 at 7:25 AM

      Loved to stop here when my late husband and I were trucking in the area!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FIND A LANDMARK

    Why This Site Matters

    Help Keep This Site Online

    We depend on the support of today’s readers to document South Carolina’s landmarks for future readers. Please help us continue this important work by making a donation below.

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    Recent Posts

    • H.L. Hunley
    • Strand Theater
    • Camden Depot
    • Charleston City Marina
    • Secession Hill

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    Footer

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    CONTACT US

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

    If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit.

    JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

    The South Carolina Picture Project has two Facebook groups. One is dedicated to SC Historic Landmarks and Iconic Landscapes, and the other is dedicated to SC Nature and Wildlife.

    South Carolina Picture Project © 2022 · All Rights Reserved