Seniors Discover “The Peanut Capital of the World”

Dothan is a city in the southeastern corner of Alabama. Senior travelers will find Dothan approximately 20 miles west of the Georgia state line and 16 miles north of Florida. The population runs right at 67,000.

After the boll weevil brought about the local death of “King Cotton,” Dothan-Houston County found a new crop: peanuts. Since approximately one-fourth of the U.S. peanut crop is produced nearby, with much of it being processed in the city, Dothan is sometimes referred to as “The Peanut Capital of the World”. Dothan hosts the annual National Peanut Festival at the dedicated “Peanut Festival Fairgrounds”.

Enjoying the amenities of much larger cities, Dothan also retains the charm and friendliness of the South. The seat of Houston County, Dothan, Alabama derives it name from Genesis 37:17: “let us go to Dothan.” The area that is now Dothan was inhabited for thousands of years by successive cultures of indigenous peoples.

Seniors Enjoy The Festivals and Museums

There are several fine schools in the area including Houston Academy. Over the years Dothan was home to several minor league baseball teams with names like the Boll Weevils, Browns, Rebels, Cardinals and Phillies. This senior likes the Boll Weevils.

Festivals, Museums and Monuments abound in Dothan. An active art and theater scene attracts senior visitors as the Southeast Alabama Community Theater offers live entertainment and theatrical productions for the Dothan community all year long.

Being a Master Gardener, I’d want to make the Dothan Botanical Gardens a must visit. A tranquil, paved nature trail meanders through a beautiful rose garden, through herbs, day-lilies, camellias, azaleas, around a peaceful pond, a Victorian gazebo and a demonstration garden.

 Seniors Visit Landmark Park

In Dothan, TripAdvisor suggests seniors start  with Landmark Park where they will discover the natural and cultural heritage of what is known as the Wiregrass Area. This 130-acre park is known for its wildlife exhibits, an 1890s farmstead, Interpretive Center, planetarium, picnic area and nature trails.

The Army Aviation Museum is big draw of servicemen featuring a collection of planes, helicopters and an attractive gift shop. The D.C. Carver Museum relates the history of his role as a catalyst for southern agronomy. There is a monument in downtown Dothan dedicated to Dr. Carver.

For you senior gourmands, Dothan is ranked as the #1 city in the nation for the most available restaurants in a city of its size. Bring along a healthy appetite and enjoy some fine southern cooking.

This “Flip Through Guide”  focuses on 2016 Dothan. It is fun to look over and offers a real feel for the city. So put Dothan into your GPS and enjoy the variety of amenities the city has to offer. -jeb