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Dothan, Alabama

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Dothan is a city located in the farthest southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is the seat of Houston County, and portions of the city are in Dale County and Henry County. The city's name derives from a town mentioned in a Bible verse, Genesis 37:17 - "For I heard them say, let us go to Dothan." As of the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 62,713.<ref name=popest2>Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Alabama (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (June 21 2006). Retrieved on November 9, 2006.</ref> It is the principal city of the Dothan, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Geneva, Henry, and Houston counties.

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[edit] History

In the late 1700s and 1800s, horse and ox-drawn covered wagons from Charleston, Savannah, and Jacksonville, creaked and groaned across the South as pioneer families searched for a place to build new homes and to start a new life. Those pioneers who passed through the vast pine forests in the southeast corner of the territory that was to later become the state of Alabama would often stop at a spring known as Poplar Head, where they would camp for a while and rest. Most of those early travelers believed that the sandy soil which nurtured the thick pine forests would not be suitable for farming, so they moved on.

Poplar Head, named for the poplar trees that encircled the glade where the cool water, or "head" (as springs were often called) welled from the earth, was where ancient Indian trails met, crossed, and then continued on. The glade where the spring was located was often used by Indians from the various tribes of the Creek Confederacy as a meeting place and as a campground. In the 1830s a fort existed on the Barber Plantation, ten or twelve miles east of Poplar Head, where the settlers from the surrounding town and hamlets could go when they felt threatened by the Indians. By 1840 the Indian wars in Alabama were over and the fort soon disappeared.

By 1885, the hamlet had grown into a village. The new settlers realized that if the community's growth was to be sustained they needed a governing body and local law enforcement. On November 10, 1885, the people of Poplar Head voted to incorporate and took as the new town's name the name of Dothan after it was discovered that a "Poplar Head" post office already existed in northern Alabama. The city of Dothan was incorporated on November 11, 1885.

Original inhabitants were the Alabama and Creek Native American tribes.

Hyman Blumberg settled in Dothan in 1892 and started a retail apparel business. He married his sweetheart from Baltimore, Esther Blumberg, and together they had six sons and one daughter, all of whom were active in building the largest department store in southeast Alabama. It was the first store in Dothan to install a moving escalator; people would come from many miles away just to ride this new innovation. Blumberg's and Sons was the first full line department store in Dothan and drew customers from as far away as Georgia and Florida. The store was closed in 1975, but the Blumbergs remain a prominent family in Dothan.

In 1902 Dothan resident W. M. Cooper released a revision of B. F. White's popular tune book, The Sacred Harp.

Dothan also took part in the 1939 New York World's Fair.

[edit] Famous Residents, Past and Present

Dothan is the birthplace of Johnny Mack Brown (1904-1974), an All-American college football player and successful film actor. Actors William Gray Espy (the original Snapper of long-running CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless), Brandy Brown, and Donna D'Errico were also born in Dothan. Singer Bobby Goldsboro, famous for his 1968 Top 40 #1 hit "Honey" as well as many other Top 40 releases of the late 1960s and early 1970s, grew up in Dothan and graduated from Dothan High School, though he was born in Marianna, Florida. Farley Taylor, heard nationwide on his radio show "The Old Taylor Made Opry", lived most of his life in Dothan and broadcasted his radio show from WTVY-FM there. His grandson Jason Taylor is also a Dothan native, and started a radio career there at a young age. He is still in the broadcasting industry as well as a voice heard all over the nation. Movie Gallery CEO Joe Malugen is a current resident of Dothan. National Television Personality and former WTVY-TV personality Mitch English refers to Dothan as his hometown though he was born in Covington, Kentucky. Former Miss America Heather Whitestone also was born and raised in Dothan. Matt Cain, a starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, was born in Dothan.

Another Dothan native is "The Wrestling Pro" Leon Baxter, who was a legendary professional wrestler who got his start in the 1960s wrestling all over the South as "Tarzan Baxter." He feuded with wrestling legend Danny Hodge and teamed with Juan Sebastian as The Masked Guachos, then hit it big in the Gulf Coast area as "The Wrestling Pro" in the 1970s. Baxter went on to have a short feud with legendary world heavyweight champion Lou Thesz and a rookie named Terry "The Hulk" Boulder, later known as Hulk Hogan.

[edit] Geography

Location of Dothan, Alabama

Dothan is located at 31°13′38″N, 85°24′26″W (31.227225, -85.407258)GR1.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 224.9 km² (86.8 mi²). 224.3 km² (86.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (0.23%) is water.

Dothan is the self-proclaimed “Heart of the Wiregrass” of southeastern Alabama.

Dothan is also known throughout the state of Alabama and Gulf Coast region as "The Circle City" with Ross Clark Circle being one of the main highways in Dothan.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 estimate of 2005, there were 62,145 people, 23,685 households, and 17,108 families residing in the city. The population density was 257.4/km² (666.6/mi²). There were 27,908 housing units at an average density of 115.5/km² (299.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 67.33% White, 30.11% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 1.32% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The updated census estimate for 2005 showed Dothan's population increased by more than 5,500 persons to 63,450. The total number of residents in Houston County also increased by more than 6,800 since 2000.

There are 27,908 households, out of which 31.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 28.4% of all households are made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39, and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population is spread out, with 25.4% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who are 65 or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females, there are 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,000, and the median income for a family was $45,025. Males had a median income of $34,475 versus $22,572 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,539. About 12.7% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 15.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] People of Dothan

Due to its relative geographic remoteness from larger Alabama cities like Mobile and Birmingham, Dothan has its own character. Dothan has been called the "Hub of the Wiregrass," a region comprising southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and the far northern end of the Florida panhandle.

Dothan continuously has been served by regional airlines through Dothan Regional Airport and is 25 minutes away from a connecting flight to almost anywhere in the world via six daily flights to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. In preparation for the jet age, the regional airport was relocated to Napier Field in 1965 although a push to move the airport was started in the early 1950's by then Mayor, Richmond C. McClintock. Jet service began in 1968 with Southern Airways' acquisition of DC-9 aircraft.

Dothan was racially segregated until the late 1960s. Race relations in Dothan have been generally good.

[edit] Education

Image:Mortarboard.jpg The majority of K-12 students in Dothan and the surrounding Houston County attend Dothan City Schools and Houston County Schools as well as numerous private K-12 schools.

Institutes of higher education:

[edit] Religion

Dothan is located in the "Bible Belt," and there is a large Protestant influence on the community. Baptist churches dot the landscape, and fish emblems are seen on car trunks. Also, many people have religious bumper stickers.

[edit] Economy

After the boll weevil brought about the local death of "King Cotton," Dothan-Houston County found a new crop: peanuts. Dothan is home to the National Peanut Festival, established in 1938 and held each fall to honor peanut growers and celebrate the harvest. Approximately half of all peanuts produced in the United States are grown within a 100-mile radius of Dothan.

The city of Dothan currently is undergoing the largest economic boom in its history with a number of multi-million dollar retail centers in their planning or pre-construction stages. The city of Dothan also is ranked as the #1 city in the nation for most available restaurants in a city of its size. The people of Dothan enjoy one of the lowest costs of living in the country, which led Dothan rated as #1 by US News in 2006 as the cheapest city to live due to low local taxes mainly from increasing sales tax revenue from retail and restaurant businesses impacted by the vast travelers on Highway 231 (Eastern Alabama's main highway) which runs through the heart of Dothan, all the way south to the Florida beaches. Dothan's vastly diversified economy varies with agriculture, aerospace, distribution, retail, and advanced technology.

Dothan's healthcare system is among one of the highest rated and cheapest in the country due to it being the home of two hospitals: Southeast Alabama Medical Center and Flowers Hospital. Dothan also lacks the nursing shortages seen in most other areas in the country.

Movie Gallery, the second largest video rental chain in the United States opened its first store in Dothan in 1985 and maintains its headquarters there. Fort Rucker is located about 10 miles north.

Although most residents work in and around Dothan, many do commute to northern Florida, especially seasonally to work in the tourism industry.

[edit] Area Attractions

  • Adventureland Theme Park is an elaborate mini-theme park that is family oriented and 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 large arcade and snack bar.
  • US Army Aviation Museum - Housing one of the largest helicopter collections in the world, the US Army Aviation Museum focuses on the role of fixed and rotor wing flight in the US Army. The exhibits depict over 50 years of history of Army Aviation, and include a number of life size dioramas, films, and interpretive material.
  • Dr. George Washington Carver Monument , located at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, pays tribute one of the nation's greatest educators and agricultural researchers whose work resulted in the creation of 325 products from peanuts, more than 100 products from sweet potatoes and hundreds more from a dozen other plants native to the South. These products contributed to rural economic improvement by offering alternative crops to cotton that were beneficial for the farmers and for the land.
  • 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.
  • Dothan Opera House, 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.
  • Dothan Pavilion is Southeastern Alabama's newest and largest retail development located on the north side of Dothan at Highway 231 and Napier Field Road. Dothan Pavilion will be home to over 25 retail stores and 7 restaurants. The $80 million retail center will open in Spring 2007.
  • Eastgate Park is a 198-acre country estate, complete with lodge and meeting facilities. It includes fishing lakes, a two-mile 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.
  • Rock Creek Crossing is a new retail development slated for Dothan that will be adjacent to Wiregrass Commons Mall and will start construction this year. (2006)
  • Highland Oaks Golf Course is part of Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and 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. Club house includes pro shop, dining room, lounge and meeting room.
  • "Joseph" statue at Millennium Park is a ten feet tall, cast bronze sculpture, located in the historic downtown area. It depicts the Bible verse, "For I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan" (Genesis 37:17), which inspired city founders in 1885 to change the name of the town from Poplar Head to Dothan.
  • Landmark Park Agricultural Museum and Starlab Planetarium is the official agriculture museum of the State of Alabama. Visit an early 1900's farmstead complete with farm house, out buildings, and farm animals; stroll the boardwalk and nature trail, see a planetarium show, have a picnic, tour Phase I of the Alabama Agricultural Museum, or catch one of the park's many special events. In the Planetarium, night skies are shown as they appear in season. Constellations are displayed as they relate to mythology.
  • Maria's Vineyard - Nestled in a secluded grove of oak and pecan trees, the Vineyard offers an elegantly casual place to host an event either outside or inside in the Vineyard House.
  • National Peanut Festival - Annually in November, the Peanut Capital of the World hosts the National Peanut Festival to prove this claim. The festival hosts competitions in different areas for all ages. A huge fair, entertainment by nationally known recording artists, and the largest parade in the area are featured attractions.
  • Peanut Monument at the Visitor Information Center helps to proclaim Dothan as the Peanut Capital of the World.
  • Peanuts Around Town is a public art project organized by The Downtown Group consisting of five feet tall peanut sculptures that are decorated in varios fashions and displayed around Dothan.
  • Porter Hardware is the oldest operating hardware store in Alabama. Opened in 1889 by E.R. Porter and J.D. Murphree and located at 136 East Main Street, Porter Hardware is still operated today by Mr. Porter's descendants. The interior and exterior of Porter Hardware remains virtually unaltered and it maintains a large inventory of hardware and hard-to-find items.
  • Troy Simms Pecan Company is a quaint general-store-style shop specializing peanuts, pecans, Alabama souvenirs, gift tins and other specialty items.
  • Westgate Park and Water World - Westgate Park is recognized as one of the premier parks in the nation. The five-field complex hosts local, regional, state and national softball tournaments and is adjacent to Water World, Westgate Recreational Complex and BMX Track. Water World includes ocean-size waves in the giant wave pool and twisting 400 foot water slides. Dothan's Westgate Tennis Center promises to be one of the very best in the Southern United States. The facility addresses 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.
  • Wiregrass Festival of Murals is an ongoing project of historic murals painted by nationally and internationally acclaimed muralists on the walls of buildings in the downtown historic district. Guided tours are available upon request.
  • Wiregrass Commons Mall is the biggest mall in the SE Alabama region. It has over 630,000 square feet of shopping and over 50 retail stores. The mall also has a large food court with numerous eatery choices. Anchors for the mall are JCPenny's, Parisian, Dillards, and Mc Rae's.
  • Wiregrass Museum of Art includes five galleries feature changing exhibitions of visual and decorative arts in the historic building. Also features ARTventures, a hands-on exhibit for children and a gift gallery for shopping.
  • World's Smallest City Block is located at the intersection of North Appletree, Museum, and Troy streets in Dothan. This land triangle features a stop sign, a yield sign, a street sign, and a granite marker placed by the Camellia Garden Club on May 1 1964 stating that the block is the World's Smallest City Block.

[edit] References

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[edit] External links

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