Area Information
History. The area that would come to include our community was originally inhabited by American Alibamu and Creek Indians. It was later settled around 1850 by families who initially came to harvest pine timber. First known as Poplar Head, the population of the town waned during the Civil War but then flourished during Reconstruction with the coming of the Pony Express. In 1885, the town (which was by then the largest in Houston County) was incorporated as "Dothan," which was taken from a reference in the Biblical passage of Genesis 37:17 that reads, "...for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'"
In 1889, Dothan outbid other towns for the first railroad in the region. The railroad brought long-lasting growth and prosperity to the community, resulting in the permanent establishment of a larger population.
Climate. Dothan has a climate ideal for comfortable living all year-long. Temperatures range from an average high of 61 degrees Fahrenheit in January to an average high of 91 degrees in July. Average annual rainfall is 55.5 inches.
Worship. As diverse are the variety of people within this community, so are the forms of worship. Dothan is the home of more than 140 worship centers, providing various choices of faith.
Amenities. The city of Dothan offers 17 elementary/middle schools and three high schools. The county has another 10 schools available. There are also seven private/parochial schools in the area. In addition, Dothan is home to Wallace College and Troy State University - Dothan. The main campus of Troy State University is less than an hour away.
Dothan offers four hospitals, two immediate-care facilities, outpatient surgery clinics, mental health centers, rehabilitation facilities and centers for the sensory-impaired.
Recreational Activities. Residents and visitors have a wide variety of recreational choices such as hunting and fishing. For those seeking some fun on the water, Walter F. George Reservoir - better known as Lake Eufaula - is less than an hour north of Dothan. It features 45,000 acres of water with 640 miles of shoreline. This lake is called the "Big Bass Capital of the World" for good reason. Largemouth, hybrid and spotted bass are common area, but they're only the beginning of the story. You'll also find crappie, bream and catfish within these waters. Around the extensive shoreline, you can make use of full-service marinas, boat launches and on-water gas pumps. If you prefer saltwater retreats, the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico are a quick two-hour drive away.
Strong area recreation departments oversee 19 parks, a local water park, four public outdoor swimming pools, an indoor pool, 47 public tennis courts, a five-diamond softball complex, two state-of-the-art baseball complexes, and many additional fields for local organized sports.
Dothan also boasts six golf courses, including one of the stops on Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
Want to see a more diverse array of nature's beauty? Check out the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens.
A fourth of the United States' peanut crop is harvested within a 75-mile radius of Dothan. That's why the city is justified in calling itself the "Peanut Capital of the World." Dothan holds a two-week-long celebration called the National Peanut Festival to celebrate this fact.
Seeking to dip into Dothan's more artistic side? Cultural needs are met by the Wiregrass Museum of Art, Dothan Opera House, Southeast Alabama Community Theater, Landmark Park, Southeast Alabama Ballet and Dance Company, Houston County Arts and Humanities Council and the Wiregrass Arts Alliance. You can also attend bigger shows at the 3,200-seat Dothan Civic Center.
Not quite outside-the-box enough for you? You can learn about some distinct aspects of the local culture by visiting the Farley Nuclear Visitor's Center and the U.S. Army Aviation Museum.
With the friendliness of its residents, an inviting temperate climate and an eye towards continued growth and progress, Dothan is a great, welcoming city to call home. Come visit our United Country office, and see all that we have to offer.
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