In 1893, Dothan secured a stop on the first railroad to be built in the region.
This development brought new prosperity and growth, as local farmers had a means to market and transport their produce.
The pine forests were harvested for turpentine and wood, which was transformed into ship masts, lumber and other wood products.
As the pines were cut and land subsequently cleared, cotton was cultivated as a staple of the local economy.
The crops were devastated by the boll weevil in the early 1900s.

Farmers turned to peanut production, which was successful and brought financial gain to the city.
It became a hub for the production and transport of peanuts and peanut-related products.
Today, one-quarter of the U.S. peanut crop is harvested within 75 miles (121 km) of Dothan.
A two-week fall festival known as the National Peanut Festival celebrates this heritage.

Dothan also sought out industrial development, with textile and agricultural concerns being joined by manufacturing plants for the Sony, Michelin, and General Electric corporations in the 20th century.
The city had an exhibit at the 1939 New York World's Fair.

Originally part of Henry County, Dothan became the county seat of the newly formed Houston County on May 9, 1903.
The city continued to flourish and grow throughout the twentieth century, with an airport being constructed in 1965 and Wallace Community College in 1969.
Troy University Dothan Campus was established in 1961 and is located in the northwestern part of the city.

The Southern Company constructed the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Generating Station near the city between 1970 and 1981; this 1,776-megawatt facility currently generates approximately 13,000 GW-h per year.
In the late 1970s, factories were constructed in the city by Sony and Michelin corporations.
In 2010 Sony announced its closure of its Dothan plant.
Pemco Aviation declared bankruptcy in March 2012 and in May that year announced the closing of its Dothan facility.

Culturally, an art museum, several theaters, symphony orchestra, dance troupe and other artistic amenities have been established.
In 1893, Dothan secured a stop on the first railroad to be built in the region. This development brought new prosperity and growth, as local farmers had a means to market and transport their produce. The pine forests were harvested for turpentine and wood, which was transformed into ship masts, lumber and other wood products. As the pines were cut and land subsequently cleared, cotton was cultivated as a staple of the local economy. The crops were devastated by the boll weevil in the early 1900s.
Farmers turned to peanut production, which was successful and brought financial gain to the city. It became a hub for the production and transport of peanuts and peanut-related products. Today, one-quarter of the U.S. peanut crop is harvested within 75 miles (121 km) of Dothan. A two-week fall festival known as the National Peanut Festival celebrates this heritage.
Dothan also sought out industrial development, with textile and agricultural concerns being joined by manufacturing plants for the Sony, Michelin, and General Electric corporations in the 20th century. The city had an exhibit at the 1939 New York World's Fair.
Originally part of Henry County, Dothan became the county seat of the newly formed Houston County on May 9, 1903. The city continued to flourish and grow throughout the twentieth century, with an airport being constructed in 1965 and Wallace Community College in 1969. Troy University Dothan Campus was established in 1961 and is located in the northwestern part of the city.
The Southern Company constructed the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Generating Station near the city between 1970 and 1981; this 1,776-megawatt facility currently generates approximately 13,000 GW-h per year. In the late 1970s, factories were constructed in the city by Sony and Michelin corporations. In 2010 Sony announced its closure of its Dothan plant. Pemco Aviation declared bankruptcy in March 2012 and in May that year announced the closing of its Dothan facility.
Culturally, an art museum, several theaters, symphony orchestra, dance troupe and other artistic amenities have been established.
Dothan, Alabama