Driving North to go South.

Oh, the wonder that is South of the Border.
.....Because after 7 hours of continuous driving, I needed to make a stop.
And because I've only ever been here like... six or seven times!

South of the Border is a massive Truck Stop / Tourist Trap in Dillon, South Carolina just south of the North Carolina state line on 95. The place is a 350-acre complex featuring gas stations, a hotel, RV Park, gift shops, restaurants, mini golf, and at one point, an amusement park! Its an odd place... but I cant help myself from stopping every time I'm in the area. Although due to my awful drive schedules, I tend to show up here well past midnight, haha. The drive from Orlando was rather uneventful, having left my house around 6pm to make it to Busch Gardens Williamsburg for their opening... Just as I was nearing the NC/SC state line I drove into a quick but heavy rain shower and an accident that had just happened, so recently that no emergency crews had arrived yet... I was also about to be in-need of gas so thankfully I knew of a place coming up.....
But uh here we go! South of the Border.

The place was basically a ghost town.. but to be fair, it was nearly 2 am. ha.
(Although when I've visited here in the daytime its really been no different...)

Opened since the 1950's but heavily expanded in the 60's... The place has the look of a retro Vegas but without the casinos. Just tons of tack... and Neon, everywhere.
Like on this lovely +100 foot sign welcoming you to the complex, described as a....
“Southern Jewish guy in brown face”... Yeah.

South of the Border... And its mascot... Pedro.

Yup...

The centerpiece of the massive complex is the 200 foot tall Sombrero Tower with arcade at its base. I've never been able to go up it.. But as far as I know this is still in use. I have some friends that were able to go up it a summer ago.
(One of my visits it was closed for painting, another for elevator work... and at least 3 times I was here in the middle of the night... ha)

Mexico Shop....West

Fort Pedro's Firework shop.
When it first opened, the sale of fireworks in North Carolina were illegal, making this an easy stop for people wishing to acquire them.

Pedro's uh... other Mexico Shop?
I've never actually gone inside any of them.. But from friends who have, its quite amusing what things are for sale. 

A Hippo!!!

Pedro's Truck Stop... Not looking creepy at all!

I wonder how often people actually rent out the South of the Border Convention Center?

Ice Cream = Good

This place might be open 24 hours... But outside of people getting gas along side 95, I didn't see anyone.

You know the menu must be good when you advertise Hot Dogs on the outside.

Pedro's Myrtle Beach Shop!
Because you know... Being like 70 miles / 90 minutes from the beach... You need a beach shop.

I don't know... Something about how still/quite the place was after the rain stopped just added to the creepiness of the whole place.. but at the same time its really interesting, unique.

At one point there was a train going around most of southern part of the complex. Likely a Chance built C.P. Huntington Train. Most of the tracks have been removed but you can still follow parts of the layout based on track that is left or where its clear the track has been removed/repaved.

And at the far end of the complex is Pedroland Park. The former (?) amusement area of South of the Border.
In all of my visits here, I've never seen any of these rides open... And each visit it seems more and more has been removed. Not really sure what the deal is... Don't really think anyone knows.
(But on one of my visits, I did see what looked like to be a man doing work on a kiddie ride)

Overview of the 'park' area

Uh, the Merry-Go-Round

And the Eli Ferris Wheel

The Scooters

And... this empty lot is where the parks L&T Coaster, Pedro's Mouse once stood.
The ride only operated for a single year, if that... But it sat on this plot of land for over 8 years, unused before being sold to Deggeller Attractions out of South Florida in 2011. Deggeller has moved it around to some of their major fairs (but I've yet to track it down anywhere here in Florida, I know its played in Pennsylvania)

Uh... Yeah.