Dothan is commonly known as “The Peanut Capital of the World,” but did you know it’s also home to a world-record holding landmark?

Keep reading to learn about the history of The World’s Smallest City Block.

The story behind The World’s Smallest City Block

Dothan’s unique landmark was recognized by “Ripley’s Believe it or Not.”(Audrey Kent / The Bama Buzz)

The World’s Smallest City Block is located at the intersection of North Appletree Street, North College Street and East Troy Street—marked by a granite monument.

This patch of land gained widespread recognition in 1964 when the Camellia Garden Club of Dothan officially celebrated it as the “world’s smallest” after it was featured in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not,” a popular newspaper column that showcased quirky and unusual landmarks across the country. The world record is also certified by World Record Academy.

According to The Dothan Eagle, a snack shop once occupied the site in the 1920s, and in 1931, a two-story building was erected there. The building housed a gas station on its ground floor and remained standing into the 1940s.

Oddly, no one truly knows when the buildings around the small city block were demolished or how the patch of land became so tiny.

Today, the tourist attraction is a small patch of earth decorated with the granite marker, stop sign, yield sign and a street sign.

“One of Dothan’s unusual attractions is the World’s Smallest City Block. One must not forget to bring one’s camera, as this place has become a popular spot for photo opportunities.”
WorldAtlas

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