Tom Petty Being Honored with Historical Marker in Hometown

Tom Petty will be honored by the Florida Historical Marker Council later this year when they unveil a new historical marker in his hometown of Gainesville.

Per the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, a two-sided marker with be placed in the "Duckpond" neighborhood where Petty grew up. One side of the marker will feature information about Petty's life before he became a rockstar, while the other side will feature details about his career. The marker will be unveiled during an event on October 20 on what would've been Petty's 69th birthday.

This is the second attempt by the State of Florida of erecting a state-approved tribute to the late Petty. State Sen. Keith Perry tried to have a portion of U.S. 441 named after Petty about two years ago. The highway was famously cited in the "American Girl" lyric, "She could hear the cars roll by out on 441, like waves crashin' on the beach."