It received town rights in 1917 whilst being a part of the German occupied Courland Governorate during the First World War.

[5] Dobele is first mentioned in historical sources in 1254; however, at that time it was only a wooden fortress which was destroyed during the Semigallian War of Independence (1279–1290), the final phase of the Northern Crusades in Latvia.

The original church was constructed in 1495, and eventually, the fortress developed into a trading post.

In the 17th century, a watermill, sawmill, a cardigan mill, and a vinegar-works were constructed during the reign of duke Jacob Kettler.

In 1927, the Jelgava–Liepāja Railway connected the city to other important towns and a period of development resulted.