Poplar Head - Where Dothan was born
February 13th, 2008 - Categories: Historic Markers around Dothan, Just for Fun
By: Charles Woodall
Managing Broker
http://www.dothanhomesearch.com
At the corner of East Main Street and Museum Street in downtown Dothan, there is a small park. Today, it is a gathering place for different events throughout the year, or even a place to enjoy an outdoor lunch. Many years ago, this was the spot where a spring, called Poplar Head Spring, served as a meeting place for Indian traders. Later, this was where the first families settled in what was later to become the city of Dothan.
Across the street is the location of an old mule stable, which for many years in the early 1900’s was one of the largest mule trading posts in the south. The stable was torn down in the 1970’s. I don’t know if you can read it in the picture, but the mule stable was owned by Marvin Holman. I believe, and somebody correct me if I am wrong, that Mr. Holman’s daughter Edith married Max Jones, and for many years they owned and operated Jones Farm Equipment and Auction located at the corner of Montgomery Highway and Ross Clark Circle, where Wiregrass Commons Mall stands today.
Next time you are in downtown Dothan, take a minute to think about the history of our community, and all those people who came before us and helped make Dothan what it is today.
| Currently No Comments »
New city park coming to southwest Dothan
January 17th, 2008 - Categories: Dothan area information, Just for Fun
By: Judy Spears
Broker Associate, CRS, ABR, GRI, CNHS
http://www.judyspears.com
After a lot of discussion and community input over the past several weeks, the Dothan City Commission voted yesterday to purchase about 87 acres near Campbellton Highway and Taylor Road for a new city recreation facility. The need for a new facility for this area of Dothan came about because the current facility, Doug Tew Recreation Center, has been outgrown and has no room to expand.
While public support has been heavily in favor of this project, there has been some that have questioned why this is such an urgent matter when there are plenty of other projects that would be considered a higher priority. The simple truth is that the value of land in Dothan is not coming down, and it is getting harder to find parcels of this size that are easily accessible and have a layout that will support all the components of the proposed park. All things considered, this is a win-win situation for the city and its residents.
More discussion will be held in the coming weeks as the commission plans out the development of the park. Once completed, the park will include baseball, softball, and soccer fields, a senior citizen center, two lakes with picnic areas, a nature walk, and a proposed dog park.
Click on the picture below for a full size map of the proposed park.
Chime in with your comments below!
| Currently 1 Comment »
A Little History - The Ashford Depot
January 16th, 2008 - Categories: Historic Markers around Dothan, Just for Fun
By: Christy Manning
REALTOR Associate
http://www.dothanhomesearch.com
Ashford, Alabama has an interesting history that grew out of the railroad and the turpentine industries in the late 19th century. The Alabama Midland Railroad Depot, built in 1889, still remains a historic centerpiece of this era. Interestingly, the Ashford Depot faced demolition when the Atlantic Coastline Railroad no longer needed it as an active station. The depot was purchased from the railroad by Ashford Gin Company for an undisclosed amount to store ingredients for fertilizer that came by rail. When Ashford Gin Company ceased operations, C. O. Adams, Jr. deeded the depot to the town of Ashford. Local citizens, under the direction of former station master Tommy Rod Henderson, raised money to give the depot a new roof and paint job in the early 1980’s. The present historic marker was placed on September 12, 1985 and the nearly 100 year old depot was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nothing further was done to preserve the structure of the depot until 2001, when Mayor Bryan Alloway appointed new members to the Depot committee to seek grants for a complete restoration. The dream became reality thanks to support from the community and government officials from the local, state, and federal levels. The Ashford Depot dedication took place on November 11, 2005. The recently restored Victorian style building houses a beautiful community room equipped for catering, with tables and chairs to accomodate 60 - 80 people. Presently the restored community freight area and dock is used for business meetings, receptions, reunions, etc.
The railroad museum is a work in progress. This part of the historic depot is projected to open this year for exhibits, classroom orientation, and field trips. The caboose and railcar are considered part of the museum and plans are to restore the caboose to depict its usage by freight crews during the peak of railroading.
The Ashford Area Economic Development and Historical Preservation Foundation is working with the Historic Chattahoochee Commission and the Alabama Bureau of Tourism to make visiting the Ashford Depot a unique experience along the Chattahoochee Trace. For more information, contact Fran McArthur at 334-899-3679 or June Layton at 334-699-2977
| Currently 1 Comment »
Happy New Year Dothan!
December 31st, 2007 - Categories: Just for Fun
By: Charles Woodall
Managing Broker
http://www.dothanhomesearch.com
From everyone at CENTURY 21 Key Realty in Dothan, have a happy and prosperous new year! We look forward to serving the real estate needs of Dothan and the surrounding Wiregrass area in 2008!
| Currently 3 Comments »
Some goats, the Constellation Taurus, and a day at the park
December 19th, 2007 - Categories: Dothan area information, Just for Fun
By: Charles Woodall
Managing Broker
http://www.dothanhomesearch.com
One of the most interesting parks in the Dothan area is Landmark Park, just north of town on US Hwy 431. Not only does Landmark offer a wide variety of activities for residents of Dothan and the Wiregrass, they also serve as ?Alabama?s Official Museum of Agriculture?.
Landmark Park is open weekdays and Saturdays from 9 am ? 5 pm, and on Sundays from Noon to 6 pm. The Planetarium programs are on Saturdays at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm, and Sundays at 1 pm and 3 pm. Here you’ll receive a detailed description of what you can see in the south Alabama night sky throughout the year. Admission to Landmark Park is $4 for adults and $3 for children from 4?15 years old.
There is lots to do at the park throughout the year, especially during the holidays. Visit the Landmark Park website for more details and other upcoming events. Don’t forget to check out our Dothan Parks and Recreation facilities page to find other Dothan area parks!
| Currently 2 Comments »
Scenic Streets in Dothan
December 12th, 2007 - Categories: Dothan area Real Estate Market information, Just for Fun
By: Charles Woodall
Managing Broker
http://www.dothanhomesearch.com
Reading through the most recent issue of Dothan Magazine, I found an article titled “The Best of Dothan”. The story was simply a compilation of some of the great and unique things Dothan has to offer both citizens and visitors alike. One particular entry caught my eye, and that was “Best street for a scenic drive”. The portion of Woodland Avenue between West Main Street and Fortner Street was highlighted as having some of the most interesting homes and architecture in Dothan.
Specifically, I wanted to focus on the section from West Main up to South Orange, right behind the Dothan Country Club (see map below). There are several different styles of homes in the area; each piece of real estate offering something different from the rest.
This spanish style building is formerly a residence, but is currently an accounting office. It is also one of Dothan’s most recognized real estate landmarks, and marks the starting point of the annual Azalea-Dogwood Trail in Dothan every spring.
Arguably the most unique facade of any real estate in Dothan, this home has a unique Tudor style.
The Federal style of these two homes gives a very formal appearance.
The modern rancher, typical of other areas of Dothan and the prevelant style in Dothan real estate.
These two are new construction homes built within the past couple of years, and have distinct features that blend well with the neighborhood.
I will be looking at some other streets in Dothan in the coming weeks and months to highlight as scenic drives. If you have a favorite, let me know by commenting below.
| Currently 4 Comments »
I can’t carry a tune in a bucket! No, it’s not Dothan Real Estate related.
December 6th, 2007 - Categories: Just for Fun
By: Charles Woodall
Managing Broker
http://www.dothanhomesearch.com
I wish I could sing. My family wishes I could as well. So instead of loosening my vocal cords with the “Me Me Me” chorus, I’ll have to pass. Although another MeMe has landed square in my lap.
Some folks out there in the real estate blogsphere came up with this cool idea of letting everyone know a little more about ourselves, so I gladly accept the invitation from Scott Saghirian to join in.
- I have been married to my wonderful wife Allison for 12 years, and we have four fantastic children. They are my life.
- I enjoy playing golf, although I am not very good and don’t get to play often enough. The game has lost some of its appeal to me since my dad (and golf partner) passed away two and a half years ago.
- I am a bit of a history nut, and my hope is to bring some of that interest to the readers of this blog over the coming months.
- I have lived in the Dothan, Alabama area for 33 of my 39 years on earth. The other six were spent in Eufaula, which is just an hour or so north of Dothan. There aren’t many back roads in southeast Alabama that I don’t know.
- I enjoy the real estate business tremendously and have been blessed with a great business. I do wish that I had a good singing voice though.
Ok, who’s next? How about…
Rob Aubrey at 3 Pounds of Real Estate
John Coley at Lake Martin Voice
Sandi Bauman at Chico Home Search
I hope I got you folks before someone else did!
One of my many talents is relaxing. Here I am taking a moment in a massage chair at The Sharper Image in Las Vegas. Management had to call a tow truck to pull me out of this thing. I am currently taking donations for the purchase of one for the office.
| Currently 2 Comments »
Dothan is a Playful City
November 28th, 2007 - Categories: Dothan area information, Just for Fun
By: Charles Woodall
Managing Broker
http://www.dothanhomesearch.com
The City of Dothan was recently named a “Playful City” by the KaBOOM National Organization for Play. The KaBOOM organization is a national play advocacy group with a mission to establish “…a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America”. Dothan is one of only 31 cities in the US to be selected for the designation of “Playful City”.
Read the press release for the City of Dothan
In honor of this designation, we here at DothanHomeSearch.com have put together a map of the parks and other recreational areas around Dothan. You can look at this map by CLICKING HERE.
If we missed a park or playground, please let us know and we’ll add it to the map. Please leave a comment below!
| Currently 6 Comments »
Hump Day History - The Naming of Dothan
October 31st, 2007 - Categories: Dothan area information, Historic Markers around Dothan, Just for Fun
By: Charles Woodall
Managing Broker
http://www.dothanhomesearch.com
We like to have some fun around here about mid week, so here is this week’s addition to Hump Day.
Here is one of the many historic markers in and around the Dothan area. This one is located next to the Wiregrass Museum of Art, on Museum Street, just behind the Dothan Civic Center.
Most of the historic markers you see around the Dothan area are erected by the Historic Chattahoochee Commission.
Side 1 reads as follows
Near the location of Poplar Head Park (200 feet west of this marker) was once a large spring surrounded by poplar trees. Two well-beaten trails crossed near the spring and the area was often used as a camping and resting place for Native Americans and early settlers. In the early 1800’s William Cawthon, from Georgia, built a corral for his cattle near the spring and the area first became known as “Cawthon’s Cowpen.” Later, several families built log cabins nearby and dubbed the little settlement “Poplar Head” due to poplar trees and spring.
Side 2 reads:
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 or Dothan. The city fathers finally settled on the spelling to coincide with the Bible passage “For I heard them say ‘Let us go down to Dothan’ ” (Genesis 37:17) when the town was officially incorporated on November 10, 1885.
| Currently No Comments »
Hump Day Fun - The World’s Smallest City Block
September 26th, 2007 - Categories: Just for Fun
By: Charles Woodall
Managing Broker
http://www.dothanhomesearch.com
I would be willing to wager than many people in Dothan don’t know that we hold the dubious honor of having the world’s smallest city block in our city. The block is located at the intersection of Museum Avenue, N. Appletree Street, and E. Troy Street, behind the Dothan Civic Center and near the Wiregrass Museum of Art.
Click on the picture for a full size photo.
