About Dothan
Some things change, but it seems Southern hospitality never does and Dothan, Alabama, is proof.
Cradled in the heart of Alabama's fertile Wiregrass Region, the city has come a long way since the first ox-drawn carts filled with hardy pioneers arrived here in the late 1700s. But Dothan will remind you that no matter how much time has passed since, being surrounded by friendly faces never gets old.
A City for All Seasons
Dothan is a particularly good spot if you're looking for a place to escape from the cold of winter. A jacket will have you pretty well covered on an average winter day, when temperatures generally hover in the 50s and 60s. Summer is another story, with lots of 80- and 90-degree days. Shorts and tank tops are standard issue as is plenty of sun. Summer has been known to brew up a few thunderstorms too, so it's wise to pack an umbrella along with your sunglasses. The spring and fall seasons split the difference, with warm weather and relatively little rain.
Getting Acquainted
Landmark Park, the perfect place to start your exploration of Dothan, boasts 135 acres that includes a functioning 1890s farm dedicated to the agricultural history of the region. Dothan has been dubbed the "Peanut Capital of the World" as well as "Alabama's Mural City." As you stroll through downtown, you can spot 22 painted murals and over 60 4-foot peanut statues. The latter allude to the Wiregrass Region's key crop, and if you visit in fall, be sure to catch the annual National Peanut Festival. No matter when you drop by, downtown Dothan is an inviting community that includes dozens of fun shops and eateries, along with the G.W. Carver Interpretive Museum, Dothan Area Botanical Gardens and a truly unique attraction—the world's smallest city block.
Built on Peanuts
In the 1920s, with cotton crops all over Alabama failing under the onslaught of the dreaded boll weevil beetles, local farmers realized that the warm southern soil of the Dothan area was perfect for growing peanuts. Agriculture has been a key industry throughout the region ever since, and you can see the mark it has left everywhere you go throughout the city. But Dothan's economy has also stayed strong in part due to its location. Within an hour's drive of almost any major city in the south, Dothan has become a major shipping and manufacturing center and home to a number of major companies, including Commercial Jet Services, LLC and Michelin North America Inc.
All Roads Lead to Dothan
Wherever you happen to be coming from, Dothan's central location makes getting there pretty simple. U.S. Route 84 bisects the city from east to west, while State Routes 1 and 53 provide easy access from the north and south. Or, arrive by air. ExpressJet operates daily Delta flights between Dothan Regional Airport and the much larger Atlanta International Airport. The Wiregrass Transit Authority provides local bus service, including Dial-A-Ride service, which picks you up and drops you off just about anywhere in Dothan.
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