Tom Petty's Florida

This is a teaser of what you find under each category of Trail Stops on this website. You will find much more information and detail, including Google Maps pinpointed addresses, on the website for each stop. One photo is used or each Trail Stop, although you will find other photos under the Photo Gallery.

• Hospital where Tom Petty was born Oct. 20, 1950
• First home of Tom Petty, 1950-1952
• Second home of Tom Petty, 1952 onward
• Neighborhood childhood play places of Tom Petty
• Elementary school of Tom Petty, site of sunburst mural today
• Junior high school of Tom Petty, where the Sundowners’ first performed
• Pool where Tom Petty swam as a child and later part of “Dreamville” song lyric
• Tom Petty-named recreation park that includes ball fields, tennis courts, a dog park, and a state historical marker
• Boy Scout cabin in Gainesville where Tom Petty camped overnight
• Boy Scout camp in Orange Park where Tom Petty camped for two weeks
• Duck pond where Tom Petty went as a child to catch crawfish with a friend or to feed the ducks with his family
• Jernigan’s Motion Picture Service, owned by Tom Petty’s uncle who introduced him to Elvis Presley in 1961 at a film set in Ocala 

SHORT CUT: https://tompettytrail.com/childhood-years

• Site of “Teen Time” dances and concerts, and where Mudcrutch performed for a prom in 1972
• Moose Club, where the Sundowners won the Battle of the Bands contest in 1964
• WDVH radio station where the Sundowners performed and Tom Petty was first heard over the radio airwaves, in 1964 or 1965
• Keystone Beach Historic Pavilion, located in Keystone Heights, where the Sundowners performed in concert 
• Lipham’s Music Store, where Tom Petty worked, met Benmont Tench, learned songs on a piano from future-Eagle Don Felder, and performed with Mudcrutch
• Graham Hall, where the Epics performed in 1966 with Tom Petty as a “wild man, all over the stage” as the band’s new front man
• High school of Tom Petty, where he met the schoolmate who became the inspiration for the song “Harry Green”
• Warren’s Cave, where Tom Petty would go with a friend while skipping school or after the end of a school day at Gainesville High School
• Devil’s Millhopper, where in 1985 for an MTV documentary, Tom Petty, Benmont Tench and Stan Lynch go to reminesce about bringing girls there as youth
• Bent Card, a coffee house where the earliest version of Mudcrutch performed
• WGGG location, where the Sundowners performed on air in 1964 and Mudcrutch’s first record was first spun in 1973
• Mudcrutch Farm, where band members resided, practiced and performed three festivals in 1970 and 1971 – and “Mudcrutch Ranch,” what a former mayor erroneously called and mapped it
• Mike Campbell’s apartment during some of the Mudcrutch years, home to the band’s roadie
• The location of the junior college where Mudcrutch played two nights in 1973
• Westside Park, where Mudcrutch performed a Farewell to Gainesville concert in 1974 to raise money for their trip to Los Angeles in search of fame and fortune
• Yonge high school where Stan Lynch graduated and Mudcrutch performed in 1971 for a Sock-Hop
• “Tom Petty Tree” on the campus of the University of Florida, which legend has it that he planted in the summer of 1970 while working on the grounds crew

SHORT CUT: https://tompettytrail.com/teen%2B-years

• Plaza of the Americas, where Tom Petty mowed lawns – and where his band Mudcrutch performed in 1970, 1971 and 1972 as part of the lineup for the Halloween Masquerade Ball
• Lake Alice, where 16-year-old Tom Petty accidentally drove his car while on a date
• Frat houses where the Sundowners and the Epics performed, and the frat house where Tom Petty got into a fistfight with the Sundowners’ drummer
• The Pi Lambda Phi fraternity house where Mudcrutch played a concert in 1973
• WUFT studio where Mudcrutch performed in 1971
• University Auditorium, where Mudcrutch headlined in 1971 with Lynyrd Skynyrd as the opening act
• The Rathskeller, where Mudcrutch performed in 1971, 1972 and 1973
• The Union, where Mudcrutch performed in 1971
• The Hub, where Mudcrutch performed in 1973
• Hume Hall, where Mudcrutch performed in 1973
• Museum Terrace, where Mudcrutch performed in 1971
• Florida Gym, where Mike Campbell and a friend snuck into to see Janis Joplin in concert in 1971; site of a slew of entertainment events from the early 1960s to 1980

SHORT CUT: https://tompettytrail.com/uf-early-years

• Sites of three key to the city ceremonies, two Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Day proclamations, and a “Walk of Fame” concrete cast of Tom Petty’s handprints and bandmembers’ signatures
• Stephen C. Connell Center, site of six Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers concerts from 1981 to 2006
• Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, where football game crowd singalongs of “I Won’t Back Down” have become a ritual since 2017
• Weimer Hall, where an academic course in Tom Petty’s life and legacy was taught in 2018
• College of Arts, where there is a Tom Petty Endowment for Guitars & Innovation
• School of Music, where Tom Petty was posthumously awarded an honorary Doctor of Music in 2023
• George A. Smathers Libraries, where is housed the Tom Petty special collection 

SHORT CUT: https://tompettytrail.com/uf-later-years

• Lillian’s Music Store, a lyrical inspiration for the song “Dreamville”
• Dub’s Steer Room, the 600-capacity nightclub where Mudcrutch was the house band in the early 1970s
• Trader’s South, the topless bar where the Epics had a residency in the summer of ’69
• Cin City Lounge, where Mudcrutch performed in the early 1970s
• The Keg, where Mudcrutch performed in the early 1970s, including a residency in 1973
• The Stone Castle, a once-wooded five-acre location where Mudcrutch performed in the early 1970s that is now where an upscale apartment complex stands
• The Suburbia, the X-rated drive-in theater where Mudcrutch performed in 1972
• Great Southern Music Hall, where a Who’s Who-worthy list of eclectic nationally-known bands performed from 1974 to 1981, yet included locally-known Road Turkey, which included Stan Lynch, a future drummer of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Marty Jourard, future keyboardist and saxophonist for The Motels. 
• Cemetery where are buried Tom Petty’s parents and maternal grandmother
• Cemetery where are buried three generations of Benmont Tench’s ancestors, Harry Green, and Tom Leadon
• Childhood home of Tom Leadon, from the Epics and Mudcrutch, and Bernie Leadon, later from the Eagles
• The Laurel Oak Inn, once a modest apartment building in Hippie Hill where Tom Petty lived and partied with Mudcrutch in 1969

SHORT CUT: https://tompettytrail.com/dreamville-ghosts

• Church where Tom Petty and Jane Benyo were married in 1974
• Tom Petty and Jane Benyo’s Alachua house from 1991 to 1998
• Benmont Tench’s childhood home, where in 1973 Mudcrutch recorded eight songs in the living room
• The Tench Building, where over time were places of business for Benmont Tench’s father, Judge Tench, who had his law office; his great uncle’s dental surgery practice; and his grandfather’s shoe store – whose staff once included 10-year-old Benmont
• City Hall, where Benmont Tench’s grandfather was mayor in 1935-1936
• Santa Fe College, where Stan Lynch’s father  – a supporter of his son’s interest in learning the drums – was a professor, and where Mudcrutch performed in 1971, 1972 and 1973
• Site in northern Levy County where two 2-day music festivals were held in 1971, with Mudcrutch and Lynyrd Skynyrd on the first bill, then a week later a festival lineup that included Mudcrutch, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Moby Grape, the Amboy Dukes, and Iron Butterfly – only to be raided by a hippie-hating county sheriff’s posse yielding tear gas and clubs
• Book store that features books about Tom Petty and where has been held a book club reading of his biography
•  The newspaper that has documented the music, life and legacy of Tom Petty from the early 1970s Mudcrutch era to this day 

SHORT CUT: https://tompettytrail.com/deep-tracks

• Tom Petty Alley, where there is a sign leading to the Tom Petty in Wonderland mural at Heartwood Soundstage, site of concerts for the annual Tom Petty Weekend
• 34th Street Wall, a 1,120-foot muraled wall where there is the “Gainesville No. 1 Son” mural
• “And the world got still mural” on South Main Street
• Fenced-in mural on NW 8th Avenue of Tom petty wearing a top-hat and shades
• American Legion Hall, where Tom Petty often went to see concerts of local bands, then where eventually his early bands, the Sundowners and Epics, performed – many years before the building became the Matheson History Museum, where today it houses artifacts related to Tom Petty and where you will periodically see exhibitions featuring him
• Cade Museum, where you will periodically see a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame traveling exhibit showcasing Tom Petty
• Two breweries in Gainesville that have brewed Tom Petty-inspired and appropriately named beers
• A restaurant that has a standing menu item, a sandwich, named in tribute to Tom Petty
• A bar that mixes up a Tom Petty-themed cocktail
• An apartment complex that features floorplans said to be inspired by Tom Petty

SHORT CUT: https://tompettytrail.com/tributes-%26-troves

• Bank in Ocala where Tom Petty met Elvis Presley in 1961 on a movie set, inspiring in him a desire to also become a musician
• Churches in Reddick where are buried Tom Petty’s paternal grandfather and grandmother 
• Site in Lake City where Mudcrutch performed at a two-day music festival
• College in Tampa where William Slater graduated in 1981 with an engineering degree, a decade after “Red” was a resident of Mudcrutch Farm who photographed iconic black and white pictures of the band during the early 1970s
• Studio in Miami where Mudcrutch recorded its first 45 in 1973
• Luxury hotel on St. Petersburg Beach where Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed on its rooftop a mid-day concert for cameramen making an MTV documentary – until security guards stopped it after 40 minutes due to noise complaints
• Funeral home in St. Petersburg where Tom Petty lived and worked during the summer of 1968
• Florida debut of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in November 1976, Tampa 
• Cape Canaveral nightclub where Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers played two nights in December 1976 
• Vacation beach-front home in St. Augustine once owned by the Petty family

SHORT CUT: https://tompettytrail.com/buried-treasure

• City of Gainesville: “Gainesville” 
• Lillian’s Music Store: “Dreamville”
• Glens Springs Pool: : “Dreamville”
• Depot Park and Depot Avenue: “Depot Street”
• Munegin’s on 13th, formerly Cypress Lounge: “Spike”
• U.S. 441: “American Girl”
• Brooker: “A Mind With a Heart of Its Own”
• Micanopy: “A Mind With a Heart of Its Own”
• The Clock restaurant: “You Don’t Know How It Feels”
• Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park: “Into the Great Wide Open”
• Cassadaga: “Casa Dega”
• Daytona Beach: “About to Give Out”

SHORT CUT: https://tompettytrail.com/lyrical-threads-vol-1

• Clearwater: “Gainesville”
• Orlando: “Southern Accents”
• U.S. 41: “U.S. 41”
• King’s Highway between Punta Gorda and Arcadia: “King’s Highway”
• Crystal River: “Crystal River”
• Clay County: “Melinda”
• Tampa: “The Bus to Tampa Bay”
• Everglades: “The Bus to Tampa Bay”
• St. Augustine: “The Bus to Tampa Bay”
• Lake City: “The Wrong Thing To Do”
• Miami: “The Wrong Thing To Do”

SHORT CUT: https://tompettytrail.com/lyrical-threads-vol-3

• Archer, home to Bo Diddley from the late 1980s until his 2008 death in his house
• Cemetery in Bronson where Bo Diddley is buried 
• Church in Gainesville where Bo Diddley’s four-hour memorial service was held
• Venue in Gainesville where two-hour tribute concert to Bo Diddley was held after his funeral
• Downtown Gainesville outdoor performance venue named in honor of Bo Diddley 
• Bo Diddley mural in downtown Gainesville
• Downtown theater where the Gainesville mayor declared it Bo Diddley Day in 1984, right before Bo performed a free concert for thousands 
• George A. Smathers Libraries on the campus of the University of Florida, where is housed the Bo Diddley special collection 

SHORT CUT: https://tompettytrail.com/bo-diddley-sidetrail 

"You've put together an incredible resource for all us Pettyheads! ... Your site is a wonderful, wonderful resource for us fans and, as a web developer/designer myself, it's also very nicely laid out and put together! ... Superb website. ... For those of you who are heading down to Gainesville for the Tom Petty Weekend ... this is a phenomenal resource for you! It's also a superbly written site if you're not visiting and just want to learn more about some of the sites that are significant in Tom's life. ... Rich in stories, background, and buried treasure, as well as first-hand experience, the site offers a fabulous insight into the places you simply have to visit in and around Gainesville the next time you're there!"

"It’s an incredible resource that not only celebrates Tom Petty’s legacy but also encourages fans to explore Gainesville and its connections to his life and music ...  Thank you again for your dedication to creating this valuable resource for fans and visitors."

 “…this is the way to find the sites you want to visit.” 

"I am very impressed with all this thorough work!" 

"Nice work! ... Exactly one of the things we needed to have."

"You've done a great job with the site."

"Great job on the trail map."

"Cool project you’re running."

"Thank you Shawn Murphy, for all the hard work, physically and mentally doing research. You will bring happiness to many for generations to come. You deserve a spot on the TP memorial walk, if it ever comes to reality. You have had a great part in ensuring Tom's legacy for generations to come. Thank you so very much my dear Petty brother! ... You do a very valuable service to the Petty fans. ... Thank you for your time, research and dedication! It is truly appreciated. ... Thank you for sharing these marvelous Gainesville nuggets." 

"I love what you are doing to preserve Tom's legacy! This is great! ... I am learning so much more about Tom! Thank you for this project!"  

      "What a beautiful thing you've done for Gainesville (and the world)! ... What a great site you've made! Kudos to you, very well done! We all thank you," wrote Tedi Swift.

     "I love what you are doing! What a gift. Thank you!" wrote Deb Beitrusen.

     "You have done a wonderful thing for his fans," wrote Johann Thornton. 

      "Can’t thank you enough for putting this trail together. Was in Gainesville over the weekend and followed part of the trail," wrote Brenda Jury-Hamilton.

     "I’ve had my own little Google Doc running of Petty sites around town, just for my own fun and to send to folks who asked for points of interest, but you’ve taken it to the next level!" wrote Jared Hart.

     "I'll put it to use next month when we go to the festival," wrote Bruce Wayne Lev.

     "Going to Petty Weekend and this is terrific! ... TP Trail is fantastic, thank you. ... Truly great." wrote Debbie Perro.

     "What a labor of love, Shawn Murphy! Thank you so much. I went in 2018 and it was amazing. I’m so pleased that the event has grown so much and that Tom Petty’s history is so well documented. He truly is an American treasure, as we all know. I so appreciate all of your hard work collecting and curating this rich history of Gainesville’s beloved son. I hope you turn this into another book," wrote Sheila Spencer.

     "So many sites! We need an extra two days to see them all! Lots of info! wrote Elizabeth Blount Atkinson.

     "These posts are so cool. Thank you for doing this. When I one day make it to Gainesville I will definitely 'take the trail,'" wrote Kelly Bound.

     "Thank you for creating this website and sharing your posts! It’s not just a great list of places to go…. But a real glimpse into Tom’s early life, and how it helped to form his character and his music. The places you write about are infused in his songs! Thank you!" wrote Sue Nelson.

     "Really love this whole idea. I’m a diehard and would love to go on the Tom Petty Trail in Florida sometime in the future," wrote Wendy DeCou.

     "I love this project! I can't wait to get out on the TP Trail!" wrote Lisa Marie Dunham Weiss.

     "This would be worth another trip to Gainesville. What a labor of love! This is amazing... And absolutely priceless! .... 'You're Keeping Me Alive' most definitely comes to mind when I think of all the work you've done!" wrote Brandi Skinner.

     "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. The web pages you have assembled are an obvious labor of love.
I do imagine I will spend a few more hours clicking links and checking out videos and photos. Since I live out in Alachua, I’ll be exploring some of Tom’s old haunts as time permits. One thing is for sure, as I cruise down 441 listening to Gainesville’s Favorite Son, I’ll have to do a bit less wondering where Tommy was hanging out making music in his youth! Great site!" wrote Tim Yocum.

      "Great website. So much cool info on the Tom Petty Trail. Takes me back to lots of fond memories of a sweet but almost forgotten time in Gainesville," wrote Pamela Irvin. 

     "This Gainesville native and 1970 GHS grad appreciates all you’ve been doing with the Tom Petty Trail," wrote David Hammer.

     "Wow -- you did such a neat job. So clear and informative!" wrote Danae Schwimmer Weinberg.

     "Many congrats on your achievement, Shawn! You did a mighty fine job," wrote David Blakey.

     "Nice job!!! Outstanding documentation!" wrote Dorsey Demaster.

     "Brilliant! Well done!" wrote Don Richards.

     "I love the work you're doing with the TP Trail!" wrote Jonathan Zarkower.

     "Fantastic!!! Well done, sir," wrote Marie Ward.

     "Thank you for telling these stories (you tell them well) and for the amazing Tom Petty Trail website. ...  Love this website for the Tom Petty history as well as local history of Gainesville! A fantastic resource full of stories," wrote Carrie Andrews Mazziotti.

      "Love your 'trail'," wrote Ken Howard.

     "Thanks for all of your hard work on this project!" wrote Deb Perk.

     "Thank you for all of the hard work you put into this Tom Petty Trail project. It is very much appreciated!" wrote Monte Kinard.

     "This is awesome! Thank you!" wrote Maxine Altkin Davieds

     "Such a great idea. Love looking at it. Thanks," wrote Michelle Kelly.

     "What a wonderful labor of love! Thank you for doing that!" wrote Sharon Walsh.

     "Shawn, this has so clearly been a labour of love for you. Thank you for all your dedication and hard work," wrote Janice Bailie.

     "Thank you for making the Tom Petty Trail. I cannot wait to start going over all the information you collected and put together. From a long-time fan of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, thank you," wrote Steve Taylor.

     "Thank you Shawn for this endeavor of sharing all this history tied to these locations," wrote Kellie Jondro.  "I appreciate your trail, have enjoyed the info."

     "Fantastic job of documenting these TP sites! ... You're a gem for compiling this stuff, Shawn!" wrote Vicki Morrison.

     "Even doing the trail remotely through my website is a good thing!" wrote Charlotte Kroon.

     "Wow! This is amazing!!! As Tom always said at the end of his concert: 'Thank you so much!'" wrote Margaret Bobyak Thompson.

      "This is the nicest fan website I've ever seen. ... Your idea of honoring his work with a trail of his adventures is just super cool. I like that idea a lot. It may help another generation or two getting hooked on his music," wrote Dave Lizdas.