Dothan in Houston County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Naming of Dothan

Photographed by David J Gaines, February 12, 2011

1. The Naming of Dothan Marker

Inscription. In 1858, the tiny Poplar Head community requested a post office. Since there was a town called Poplar Spring in the state, the postal authorities arbitrarily assigned the name Dothan to the new post office to prevent misdirected mail. Early maps and documents show the town name was spelled two different ways: Dothen and Dothan. The city fathers finally settled on the spelling to coincide with the Bible passage “For I heard them say ‘Let us go to Dothan’” (Genesis 37:17) when the town was officially incorporated on November 10, 1885.

Erected 2001 by the Historic Chattahoochee Commission and Wiregrass Museum of Art, Houston County Kiwanis Club, The Downtown Group.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1885.

Location. 31° 13.439′ N, 85° 23.343′ W. Marker is in Dothan, Alabama, in Houston County. It is on Museum Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dothan AL 36303, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Wiregrass.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Marvin Holman (within shouting distance of this marker); Dothan Municipal Light and Water Plant

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Poplar Head Spring (within shouting distance of this marker); The Founding of Dothan, Alabama (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Johnny Mack Brown (about 600 feet away); Dothan Opera House (about 700 feet away); A Memorial to the Fallen (about 700 feet away); Main Street Commercial Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dothan.