Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes ProCon History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture Money Videos
Dothan
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Read Next
Close up of a hand placing a ballot in a ballot box. Election vote voter voting
Have Any U.S. Presidents Decided Not to Run For a Second Term?
Washington, D.C. locator map.
What State Is Washington, D.C. In?
The United States Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C.
14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered
Bar graph of the United States Death Toll during major events. Infogram chart.
U.S. Death Toll During Major Events
The Battle of New Orleans, by E. Percy Moran, c. 1910. Andrew Jackson, War of 1812.
26 Decade-Defining Events in U.S. History
Discover
Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1855), founder of the house of Rothschild; lithograph by Friedrich Lieder, c. 1830.
Where Do Anti-Semitic Conspiracy Theories About the Rothschild Family Come From?
Rural Irish landscape, Sligo, Ireland.
Why Is Ireland Two Countries?
Woman tied to a ducking stool, a method of punishment by means of humiliation, beating, or death. (cucking stool)
8 Unusual Punishments Inflicted on Women Throughout History
A human Inuit skull in a stone chambered cairn in Ilulissat in Greenland. These ancient graves are pre christian and are at least 2000
14 Tough Questions Answered
Diverse elementary school children wearing school uniforms running outside of school. Boys girls
Pro and Con: School Uniforms
Los Angeles Police Department wanted flyer on Elizabeth Short, aka the "Black Dahlia," who was brutally murdered in January 1947. The FBI supported the Los Angeles Police Department in the case, including by identifying Short through her fingerprints that
America’s 5 Most Notorious Cold Cases (Including One You May Have Thought Was Already Solved)
Thumbnail for flags that look alike quiz Russia, Slovenia, Iceland, Norway
Flags That Look Alike

Dothan

Alabama, United States
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/place/Dothan
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History

Dothan, city, Houston and Dale counties, seat (1903) of Houston county, southeastern Alabama, U.S., about 90 miles (145 km) southeast of Montgomery. Originally settled as Poplar Head in the early 1800s, the name was changed to Dothan (for a biblical location) in 1885. Cotton was the main crop until it was devastated by boll weevil infestations (1915–16).

Peanut (groundnut) farming is now the economic mainstay of the area, and Dothan is the site of the annual National Peanut Festival (October/November). Services, notably health care, are a major component of the economy; poultry processing and the manufacture of magnetic tapes, tires, and aircraft parts are also important. Fort Rucker is about 20 miles (30 km) to the northwest, near Enterprise. Troy University Dothan (1974) began in the 1950s as a branch of Troy State University (now Troy University) at the fort. Wallace Community College is also in the city. The Wiregrass Museum of Art has a collection of 20th-century art; Landmark Park, just outside the city, preserves the cultural heritage of Alabama’s wire grass region and hosts several annual cultural events. Chattahoochee State Park is 25 miles (40 km) southeast. Inc. 1885. Pop. (2000) 57,737; Dothan Metro Area, 130,861; (2010) 65,496; Dothan Metro Area, 145,639.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Jeff Wallenfeldt.