Recently, Palm Beach County commissioners unanimously voted to rename a section of Southern Boulevard as “President Donald J. Trump Boulevard.” This decision is part of a broader trend across the United States, where various lawmakers seek to honor and memorialize the current president. The renamed roadway directly leads to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, a site closely associated with his presidency, particularly as it serves as the route for his motorcade when he travels between Mar-a-Lago and Palm Beach International Airport. The route frequently sees Trump supporters lining the streets to greet the president upon his returns from Washington, showcasing the community’s vibrant support for him.
Interestingly, this would not be the first roadway in Palm Beach County named after a Republican president—the region already boasts George Bush Boulevard in Delray Beach, established in the early 1990s in memory of former President George H.W. Bush. This move highlights a growing tradition of naming roadways in honor of presidential figures, particularly those who have had a profound impact on American history. Notably, Palm Beach County has also recognized Democratic leaders, with two roads named for former President Barack Obama in Riviera Beach and Pahokee, further illustrating the bipartisan nature of this street-naming practice.
The Federal Highway Administration lacks a centralized database of federal roadways dedicated to U.S. presidents, but a report from the U.S. Census Bureau in 1993 identified which presidents have the most roads named after them. George Washington topped the list, followed closely by Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson. This historical data emphasizes not only the importance of these figures in American history but also the cultural practice of memorializing leaders through the infrastructure of the nation.
In addition to historical figures, modern presidents have also been commemorated in this way. For example, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama each have numerous streets, highways, and parks named in their honor across various states. Reagan’s name is associated with several significant roadways, including the Ronald Reagan Turnpike in Florida, while Obama-inspired roadways are found in locations as diverse as California and Mississippi. Such honors signify the lasting impact these leaders have had on American life and culture.
The naming of roads and highways is not just limited to formal resolutions; it often requires a series of legislative actions and community support. In Florida, for a designation to take effect in areas crossing multiple municipalities, approvals must be obtained from local governments. This stipulation means that while the Palm Beach County decision is a significant first step toward honoring Trump, further endorsements from West Palm Beach and Palm Beach municipalities will be necessary for the naming to take effect.
In line with this recent proposal, previous instances of renaming roads after Trump are notable, with an avenue named for him already existing in Hialeah, Florida. The increasing frequency of such naming efforts in various states, including Oklahoma, where a stretch of U.S. highway was renamed for Trump in 2021, reflects a wave of political and cultural sentiment aimed at memorializing the current administration. Overall, these developments illustrate the ongoing relationship between politics, public memory, and local communities in shaping the identities of American roadways.
