#S.O.B. June 20

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Today for the 30-Day Sign Coach4aday Challenge I am talking about S.O.B. Just to be clear that acronym stands for South of the Border.

Located on I-95 straddling the NC/SC state border halfway between New York and Florida sits a kitschy roadside attraction named South of the Border. Travelers on I-95 have seen the billboards for miles and miles featuring the cartoon Mexican character named Pedro. Around 175 billboards are north and south from the Virginia/North Carolina state lines to the South Carolina/Georgia state lines. 

If you want to see more of these billboards click on this link.

FAQ about South of the Border

In 1949 the present-day location of SOB in South Carolina sat adjacent to Robeson County (NC) which was a dry county (no alcohol). Mr. Alan Schafer built a simple 18 x 36-foot beer stand known as South of the Border Beer Depot and business boomed. Schafer is also connected to a South Carolina soft drink known as Blenheim Ginger Ale.

Please remember that construction did not begin on I-95 until the late 1950’s and 1960’s. Travelers at that time were using US 301 which still runs past SOB. In 1964 it was announced that the route for I-95 would pass right by South of the Border, and the facility would be next to two exits and within view of the highway. 

1954 20 Hotel rooms were added, and the name shortened to South of the Border.

1962 South of the Border expanded into fireworks sales.

In the mid 1960’s S.O.B. had a barbershop, drug store, a variety store, a post office, an outdoor go-kart track complete with other outdoor recreational facilities, and the 104 feet tall mascot, Pedro.