DOTHAN & HOUSTON COUNTY – Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow C 49
OPPOSITE: The
corner of South Foster and Crawford streets was the location of a wagon yard operated by J.P. Folkes, one of the earliest settlers in Dothan. In 1913, William Singletary and A.D. Whiddon opened a farm supply store on the site. A decade later, they built this three-story brick storefront. The building featured a large mural depicting a rural scene and advertising Singletary and Whiddon’s “International Line of Farm Machinery.” The company dissolved in 1936. Singletary, along with his nephew Archie Carmichael, opened a new store in the building shortly thereafter. [Courtesy of Dothan Landmarks Foundation, Inc.]
RIGHT: The Carmichael Building, as it came to be known, now houses an electronic supply company. The building’s façade remains largely unaltered. The awning has been removed, as have half of the large storefront windows.
LEFT:
At the time of this photograph, the Frith building was the Dothan Buick dealership. Afterwards, T.R. Frith established his hardware company. T.R. Frith Seed and Hardware Company was one of many stores that catered to Dothan citizens in the early 20th century. As the area continued to grow, residents needed more lumber, cooking
and farm implements, and other necessities. Stores like Frith played a crucial role in the continued prosperity of the growing community. ABOVE:
Although the Frith Hardware sign remains, the building has been vacant for a number of years.