Murals of the Wiregrass

Welcome to the Murals of the Wiregrass, a vibrant testament to the rich history and culture of the Wiregrass region. Our organization, originally founded as The Wiregrass Festival of Murals in 1993, has been dedicated to stimulating the local economy, revitalizing downtown, and enhancing the community's cultural arts.

Our journey began in the late 1980s, inspired by the transformation of Chemainus, a small town in British Columbia, Canada. When their large sawmill closed, the town rejuvenated its economy through the painting of large outdoor murals, a concept we embraced and adapted to Dothan's Downtown.

Our Mission

Our mission is to attract tourism and foster the continued development of our downtown area. We believe in the power of art to tell stories, preserve history, and inspire communities. Each mural we commission is a celebration of our region's past, a tribute to its people, and a beacon for its future.

Our Murals

Since our inception, we have completed numerous murals, each telling a unique story about the Wiregrass region. Here are some highlights:

Salute to the Peanut Industry: Our first mural, a tribute to the significant role of the peanut industry in the Wiregrass region. Featured in this mural is Dr. George Washington Carver, who developed more than 300 uses for the peanut.

Johnny Mack Brown: A mural dedicated to Dothan's own Johnny Mack Brown, an All-American football halfback turned Hollywood star, known as "The Singing Cowboy."

Chief Eufaula: Creek Indian Removal: This mural tells the story of the Creek Indians, who occupied most of what is now Georgia and Alabama, and their forced relocation to present-day Oklahoma.

Desoto’s Journey Through the Wiregrass Region: A depiction of Hernando DeSoto's 1540 exploration party's journey through the Wiregrass region, where they first encountered the ancestors of the Creek Indians.

The Abduction of Elizabeth Stewart Dill: A dramatic representation of the 1817 incident where Elizabeth Stewart, the wife of a sergeant, was captured by the Creeks during a skirmish with the troops protecting white settlers.

The Mules: A tribute to the mules introduced into the area in the late 1800s, which played a significant part in the growth of the logging industry.

-The Dothan Riot: A depiction of the 1889 riot that started over a city tax, leaving two dead, several wounded, and more arrested.

The Steamboat Era: A mural celebrating the steamboats that were the main mode of transportation in the region during the 1800s.

Salute to Fort Rucker: A salute to Fort Rucker, the most significant industry in the Wiregrass, and its role in the region's recovery after the Great Depression and the Boll Weevil Depression.

Women of the Wiregrass: A tribute to the women who helped mold this city and area into the unique place that has come to be known as the Wiregrass.