In a move that has generated considerable interest, the Lake County Commission in Florida cast a unanimous vote on September 23 to designate a segment of roadway as the Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway.
This initiative may mark the first formal roadway tribute to Kirk in the United States, with the commemorative signs expected to be posted shortly after the vote passed.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that former Florida legislator Anthony Sabatini took the lead on this resolution, proudly announcing on social media, “IT’S OFFICIAL — Our Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway signs are up!”
Sabatini remarked, “Lake County, FL is now the first local government in the nation to honor the great Charlie Kirk with a road designation—every city and county in America should take note and follow our example.”
The Lake County Commission has officially approved the Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway.
This highway stretches along a segment of Wellness Way from US 27 to the Orange County boundary.
Lake County’s designation marks a significant moment in commemorating Kirk in the wake of his… pic.twitter.com/VZyNDxIcq5
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) October 2, 2025
The designated Schofield Road connects Lake County with Orange County, reinforcing the ties between these regions.
Interestingly, the path to this name change was fraught with contention, reportedly involving about two and a half hours of heated debate, as covered by the News-Journal.
Proposals to similarly rename roads for Kirk have encountered obstacles in several Florida locales, including Clearwater, Hernando County, Melbourne, Miami-Dade County, Pensacola, and St. Lucie County, where requests have been met with either denial or are still awaiting consideration.
Supporters of Kirk have attempted to celebrate his legacy through various initiatives, though not all have found favor within the broader community. Following the tragic events surrounding Kirk on September 10, President Donald Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff across the nation and announced his intent to award Kirk posthumously with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor.
Across America, vigils were organized to honor Kirk’s memory in both urban and rural settings.
A memorial service held in Glendale, Arizona drew nearly 100,000 attendees, as noted by Homeland Security.
Kirk dedicated much of his time to visiting universities throughout Florida.
According to Jamie Miller, the Vice President of Communications and Chief Marketing Officer, New College of Florida in Sarasota intends to erect a statue of Kirk on its campus “to affirm our commitment to defending and advocating for free speech and civil discourse in American society.”
In conclusion, as the landscape of public discourse continues to evolve, the new Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway stands as a symbol of recognition for Kirk’s influence on freedom of thought and debate. Lake County, Florida, seems to be leading the way in memorializing his legacy, albeit amid various challenges and controversies.
This article originally appeared on The Western Journal.
