Wall of murals sees constant change, but some portions are considered untouchable

Gainesville’s most visible memorial to the late rock ‘n’ roll legend Tom Petty has been defaced, despite its popularity.

A mural, which reads “Love you always, Gainesville No. 1 Son, Thanks, Tommy” and has a Heartbreakers-style heart with a guitar through it, has remained untouched along the city's Southwest 34th Street since shortly after the Gainesville native died Oct. 2, 2017, at age 66. 

The panel is right next to the Gainesville murder victims panel from 1990, which locals know is sacred space — unlike ever-changing panels along the rest of the wall.

The mural was painted by unknown artist. But now the Petty tribute has graffiti across it.

The memorial is the only well-known visual tribute to Petty in Gainesville.

Although it is common for murals and other paintings along the wall to be painted over, several city officials and Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell, a cousin of Petty’s, said they had hoped the mural would go untouched.

City officials are still contemplating a proper way to honor the late rock star. Some of the ideas floated include naming a future amphitheater after him or renaming Northeast Park, at 400 NE 16th Ave., Petty often spent time at the park growing up and lived in a nearby house.

State Sen. Keith Perry has suggested renaming a section of SW 34th Street in honor of Petty, from West University Avenue to Southwest 16th Avenue, along which the wall of murals stands.

Before his death, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers had just wrapped up a 40-year anniversary tour, which included a stop in Tampa in May. Petty’s musical career included 20 albums, 13 of them with the Heartbreakers.

Petty attended Gainesville High as a teenager. He was well-known in the local music scene and worked at the University of Florida as a groundskeeper before eventually landing a big record deal.