Dothan

Understand

History Dothan began as "Poplar Head", a stop along the main trail that ran through this portion of the state during the early 19th century. It was incorporated in 1885, and renamed after the village mentioned in Genesis 37:17, which reads "let us go to Dothan". The city quickly became a hub for local agriculture and industry, especially the peanut business, and its annual National Peanut Festival (since 1938) reflects this heritage. Dothan has long proclaimed itself the "Peanut Capital of the World", as approximately one-quarter of the peanuts grown in the U.S. are grown within 75 miles of the city. Movie Gallery, a national movie rental chain, has its national headquarters here.

Climate Dothan has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, sticky summers and generally mild winters. Snowfall is rare, and when it does come, it seldom accumulates to any great degree or remains for very long. Summer temperatures easily reach 90 °F (32 °C) or more, while the average winter temperature is 59 °F (15 °C).

Getting there

By plane Dothan has one commercial airport, northwest of the city in the tiny village of Napier Field. It is served by ExpressJet, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, flying to and from Atlanta International Airport. Dothan Regional Airport offers a full range of airport services and amenities; for further information, visit their website at Dothan Regional Airport.

By train There is no passenger rail service to Dothan. The nearest Amtrak station is in Birmingham. Chipley, Florida had an Amtrak station prior to the landfall of Hurricane Katrina, but damage to the tracks in northwestern Florida forced its closure. Amtrak has proposed restoring the line, but there is no plan to do so as of March 2019.

By bus Dothan is served by Greyhound Bus Lines. The station is at 285 S. Foster St., 334-792-1191 +1 334-792-1191. Further information and hours of operation may be found at Dothan Greyhound Station.

Getting around

There is no public transit system in Dothan, so getting around will require a car or bicycle, or walking. Traffic on the Ross-Clark Circle can be quite heavy, especially during "rush hour" and around lunchtime.

See

1 US Army Aviation Museum. Located on Ft. Rucker, which lies just north of the town of Daleville about 20 miles north and west of Dothan. Many people do not realize that military aviation existed long before the creation of the Air Force in 1949; all military aircraft used in World War II, for instance, were either Army, Navy or Marine Corps aircraft, with the majority being Army airplanes. This museum pays tribute to the history of Army aviation, with sizable displays of Army aircraft--fixed-wing and rotary--from the earliest twentieth century to today. A variety of life-sized dioramas, films and interpretive material are available. Admission is free. Ft. Rucker is a "closed post"; guards at the post gates will require identification to enter, even for museum visitors. Dr. George Washington Carver Monument (at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds). This monument honors the African-American genius whose creative work resulted in hundreds of new products created from peanuts, sweet potatoes and other plants native to the South. Most of these were derived from peanuts, which are the principal agricultural product of the Wiregrass region--of which Dothan is the principal city. Dothan Area Botanical Gardens. Enjoy the old Southern-style of gardening, and see what works in the Wiregrass. A tranquil, paved nature trail meanders through a beautiful rose garden, through herbs, daylilies, camellias, azaleas, past a peaceful pond, Victorian gazebo and a demonstration garden. 2 Dothan Opera House, 115 N St Andrews St, ☏ +1 334 615-3173. Built in 1915, represents the elegance of turn-of-the-century southern life. Theatre performances, spectacular concerts, symphonies, ballet performances, and many other cultural events are regularly held in this landmark. Tours are available upon request. Landmark Park Agricultural Museum and Starlab Planetarium. The official agriculture museum of the State of Alabama. Visit a 1900s farmstead, complete with farmhouse, outhouses, and

Do

1 Adventureland Theme Park. An elaborate mini-theme park that is family-oriented. It includes two 18-hole miniature golf courses with waterfalls, lagoons and elaborate landscaping, a figure-eight go-cart track with a double underpass bridge and Indy-style karts, bumper boats, batting cages, a Max Flight roller coaster simulator, a large arcade and snack bar. 2 Eastgate Park. A country estate, complete with lodge and meeting facilities. It includes fishing lakes, a two-mile (3 km) walking trail, sand volley ball, swimming pool (for private parties only), picnic area and lighted tennis courts. Additional amenities are under development. Press Thornton Future Masters Golf Tournament. Has been held annually since 1950 in early July. More than 600 junior golfers participate in this part of the Junior Grand Slam of Golf hosted by the Dothan Country Club. Highland Oaks Golf Course. Part of Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and was proclaimed by Golf Digest as the 7th best public course in the US. This world-class 36-hole facility offers three championship 9-hole courses, plus a 9-hole Par 3 course. The Clubhouse includes a pro shop, dining room, lounge and meeting room. 3 Water World. Includes ocean-size waves in the giant wave pool and twisting water slides. Dothan's Westgate Tennis Center. Promises the highest standards of play and the greatest comfort for spectators. Amenities include 16 lighted full-size clay tennis courts, a control center, observation deck, shade shelters and large courtyard. Kiwanis Park, on Westgate Park land fronting Whatley at the intersection with Deerpath, has playgrounds and a picnic pavilion with a water fountain and restrooms. There are also walking trails. Solomon Park, in the Garden District at the corner of Choctaw and Redwood streets, has the shadiest playground in Dothan, a real godsend in hot weather. Patti Rutland Jazz. A professional contemporary jazz and hip-hop dance company located in Dothan. This company produces

Buy

1 Wiregrass Commons Mall. The only mall in the SE Alabama region. It has over 50 retail stores. The mall also has a food court. Anchors for the mall are JC Penney, Belk, and Dillards. (updated Feb 2022)

Sleep

Clarion Inn and Suites, 2195 Ross Clark Circle, ☏ +1 334-794-8711. In addition to normal hotel rooms, they offer rooms for events, along with catering of food and beverages. Guests have complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi and weekday newspapers. (updated Aug 2016)

Go next

Panama City Beach is a beach town an hour and a half south of Dothan, known for its white sandy beaches and emerald green waters. Albany is a town in southern Georgia. Tallahassee is the capital of Florida. Montgomery is the capital of Alabama.