List of Keys to the City in the United States

This is a list of Keys to the City awarded in the United States.

Alabama

Huntsville

• July 12, 2013: Jase Robertson, star of reality TV series Duck Dynasty
• June 28, 2015: Microwave Dave (Gallaher) - North Alabama musician and music educator,

Alaska

Wasilla

• September 22, 2011: Landon Swank, Illusionist

California

Beverly Hills

• September 2, 2010: The Kardashian-Jenner family and Larry King were awarded the key to the city of Beverly Hills, which falls on the City’s famous zip code, 90210.

Compton

• February 13, 2016: Mayor Aja Brown presented Kendrick Lamar with the key to the city.

Cypress

• After winning 1994 U.S Amateur Tile, Tiger Woods was presented the key to the city of Cypress, his hometown. The ceremony took place at Cypress Golf Club.
• After being selected on the list of 100 most influential people in Orange County, Calif for 2015 , 16 year old Dan Ta was presented the key to the city of Cypress, by Mayor Mariellen Yarc at the January 20, 2016 State of the City Luncheon in front of 300 local leaders.

Diamond Bar

• On January 24, 2016, US Women's National Soccer Team star Alex Morgan was presented the key to the city of Diamond Bar, her hometown. The ceremony took place at local Pantera Park.

Corona

• March 12, 2010: Scarlett’s Magic, a Savannah cat owned by the Draper family (Lee, Kimberly, Marty and Matteo) was awarded the key to the city of Corona for being recognized in the 2011 Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Tallest Cat, measuring 45.9 centimeters (18.1 inches) from shoulder to toe.

Los Angeles

• 2006: Twenty-seven Victoria's Secret Angels – including Gisele Bündchen, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Karolina Kurkova, Selita Ebanks, and Izabel Goulart – were presented with a key to Hollywood by honorary mayor Johnny Grant in honor of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show being held in Los Angeles for the first time.
• August 7, 2009: Zooey Deschanel, Geoffrey Arend, Mark Waters and Jessica Tuchinsky, stars and producers of the 2009 film (500) Days of Summer, were awarded the key to Los Angeles for the film's inventive use of L.A. locations.
• May 11, 2013: 5th Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Mirza Masroor Ahmad was awarded the key to the city at prestigious Montage Hotel.

Danville

• January 16, 2009: Chesley B. Sullenberger III was awarded the keys to city of his hometown, Danville, for his actions in saving US Airways Flight 1549.

Indio

• 2008: Mayor Luoe Ramos Watson presents to the Order of the Eastern Star California Worthy Grand Matron the key to the City of Indio for their 100 years of service to the community through volunteerism and unwavering commitment to life, liberty and the pursuit of justice.
• 2011: Mayor Lupē Ramos Watson presents Honorary Mayor Bob Ladiin for his commitment to the City through Volunteerism, Public Safety and Senior Citizen Advocacy.
• 2013: Mayor Elaine Holmes presents to Mr Alexander Haagan III the key to the City of Indio city for his long standing support of music the arts, culture and community events at his Empire Polo Grounds in Indio.
• 2015: Mayor Lupē Ramos Watson presents to the Order of the Eastern Star California Worthy Grand Matron the key to the City of Indio for their 100 plus years of service to the community through volunteerism and unwavering commitment to life, liberty and the pursuit of justice. And for their 70-year commitment to the City's longest standing community festival the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival.

San Francisco

• 1916: Russian-born American businessman, candy-maker and inventor Sam Born was awarded the key to city for inventing a machine that mechanically inserted sticks into lollipops. Later, he went on to found the Just Born candy company in New York.
• November 3, 2010: The San Francisco Giants were awarded the key to city for winning the 2010 World Series.
• June 26, 2012: San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain was given the key to the city in commemoration of the perfect game he pitched on June 13, 2012.
• September 29, 2012: Myanmar opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was given the key to the city at the San Francisco Bay Area, which is home to the third-largest Burmese community in the USA.
• October 31, 2012: The San Francisco Giants were awarded the key to city of San Francisco for winning the 2012 World Series.
• May 21, 2013: Stephen Curry, basketball player
• October 31, 2014: The San Francisco Giants were awarded the key to city of San Francisco by Mayor Ed Lee for winning the 2014 World Series.
• October 14, 2015: The Golden State Warriors were awarded the key to city of San Francisco by Mayor Ed Lee for winning the 2015 NBA Championship.

Connecticut

Hartford

• May 2, 2011: Michael Wilson, Artistic Director, Hartford Stage Company
• August 10, 2013: Christopher Martin, Jamaican Singer/Songwriter
• February 15, 2014: John Leguizamo, Comedian and Actor
• June 10, 2014: Darko Tresnjak, Artistic Director, Recipient of the 2014 Tony Award

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

New Britain

• August 3, 2013: Ryszard Schnepf, Polish Ambassador to the U.S.

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

District of Columbia

Washington

• 2008: Alexander Ovechkin received the key of the city in honour of being the first player in NHL history to receive the most valuable player, outstanding player, top scorer, and goal scoring leader awards in the same season.
• 2011: Lamont Peterson, American Boxer
• 2011: Raheem DeVaughn, American Singer
• 2016: Bryce Harper, Professional Baseball player

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Florida

Cape Coral

• December 13, 2015: Jessica Lynch, Prisoner of War, Private First Class (2001 - 2003), was honored and presented with the key to the city of Cape Coral, Florida by Mayor Marni Sawicki at a private dinner held at the Southwest Florida Military Museum & Library with both special and surprise guests in attendance. This was a private event closed to both the public and media.

Clearwater

• George Hill
• 17 January 2012: Frank Crum
• 30 October 2013: Robert Engelman, Film Producer for Alcon Entertainment

Doral

• September 15, 2013: Henrique Capriles Radonski, Venezuelan opposition leader

Dunedin

• July 18, 2013: Lari White, country music artist

Fort Myers

• December 11, 2015: Jessica Lynch, Prisoner of War, Private First Class (2001 - 2003), was honored and presented with the key to the city of Fort Myers, Florida by Mayor Randy Henderson in a ceremony held at Centennial Park. Fort Myers police and firefighters also attended and made presentations of their own to her. This was a public event open to both the public and media.

Key West

• December 20, 1955: Ethel Waters, singer and actress, was presented with the key to the city on the set of Carib Gold, a film in which she starred.
• December 28, 1955: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States, received the key to the city during a 12-day vacation in Key West.
• May 22, 1956: Estes Kefauver, U.S. Senator, was given the key to the city while campaigning to be nominated the Democratic presidential candidate.
• February 23, 1957: Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States, received the key to the city and was made honorary chairman of the board of county commissioners.
• July 14, 2004: Rosie O'Donnell, comedian and LGBT rights activist, was given the key to the city during the inaugural voyage of her cruise line, R Family Vacations.

Lakeland

• February 11, 1976: John McKay received the key to the city upon his appointment as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Miami

• 2004: The mayors of Miami-Dade County and the city officially welcomed Shaquille O'Neal and presented him with the keys to the city before a press conference was held in the American Airlines Arena.
• August 19, 2009: Miami Commissioner Thomas Regalado presented Armando Perez (aka Pitbull) with the key to the city during a morning ceremony.
• April 13, 2013: Mayor Matti Bower presented the Key to pop singer Adam Lambert for "being brave enough to be openly gay on American Idol."
• July 8, 2013: María Corina Machado, Venezuelan opposition leader
• August 20, 2013: José Sulaimán, president of the World Boxing Council
• September 15, 2013: Henrique Capriles Radonski, Venezuelan opposition leader

North Miami

• November 19, 2012: Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, socialites, businesswomen, and models
• June 11, 2013: Gregory Toussaint, Pastor

Ocala

• 2 March 2007: John Travolta, American Actor
• 2 March 2007: Kelly Preston, American Actress

Sarasota

• September 11, 2013: Diana Ross, singer and actress

Tampa

• January 28, 2003: Jon Gruden, head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, received the key to the city following the Buccaneers' Super Bowl XXXVII victory.

Georgia

Franklin Springs

• 2007: The Governor of Georgia, Sonny Perdue, received the key to the city of Franklin Springs after visiting the city and cutting the ribbon to the city's new Public Safety and City Hall buildings; the original buildings were destroyed in 2004 by Hurricane Ivan.

Milton

• 2007: The original Governor's Commission for the City of Milton (Ron Wallace, Brandon Beach, Gregory Mishkin, Dan Phalan and Cecil Pruitt) was awarded the key to the city of Milton in recognition of their work in the creation of the city. They were also presented a proclamation that officially declares December 1 as "Commissioning Day" in honor of their achievements and recognizes the five men as the "Founding Fathers" of the City.

Illinois

Chicago

• December 30, 1871: Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia received the "Freedom of the City of Chicago".
• June 26, 1933: Residents of the Midget Village at the Century of Progress World's Fair were presented with a key to the City of Chicago by Mayor Edward Joseph Kelly.
• August 17, 1970: As part of Chicago's Lakefront Festival, Mayor Richard J. Daley awarded a key to the City of Chicago to Edward Stein, who had emerged from the Chicago River dressed as Neptune to lead a parade.
• May 1985: Jean McFadden, leader of the Glasgow District Council was presented a key to the City of Chicago by Joel Hall as part of Glasgow's Mayfest
• April 21, 1988: Michael Jackson was awarded the Key to the City by Eugene Sawyer.
• March 20, 1990: Audrey Hepburn was presented with a key to the City of Chicago by Mayor Richard M. Daley.
• October 12, 1990: Sophia Loren was presented with a key to the City of Chicago by Mayor Richard M. Daley.
• 1996: The famous Lebanese Arab singer Najwa Karam was presented with the Key to the City of Chicago.

North Chicago

• July 11, 2011: Shawn Marion, basketball player with the Dallas Mavericks, was awarded the key to the city following the Mavericks' victory at the 2011 NBA Finals.

Springfield

• March 11, 2015: Mayor J. Michael Houston awarded the Key to the City to Cobra Commander from G.I. Joe in honor of the G.I. JoeCon convention taking place the following month.

Indiana

Indianapolis

• July 17, 2015: Reggie Wayne, wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts NFL football team receives a key to the city of Indianapolis

Iowa

Des Moines

• 21 October 2006: Bill Bryson, Author

Kentucky

Bowling Green

• August 26, 2004: Dionne Warwick, singer, received the key to the city prior to her appearance at an Athena Cage concert.

Louisiana

New Orleans

• November 21, 2006: Kentucky-New Orleans Architecture Studio was awarded the key to the city of New Orleans for its work on restoration and re-design efforts of Mickey Markey Park in Bywater.
• April 26, 2007: The Harris County Hospital District was awarded the key to the city in recognition of its efforts to provide health care to Hurricane Katrina evacuees at its Astrodome Clinic in September 2005.
• June 2008: Atlanta native, R&B Singer Usher awarded the key to the city for his effort and dedication to help rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
• September 25, 2011: Former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason was granted the key to the city for his blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons in the Saints' first home game after Hurricane Katrina.

Maine

Portland

• July 13, 2008: moe., a band from upstate New York, was presented the key to the city in recognition of a two-day fundraising concert they organised for the Preble Street Resource Center.
• June 13, 2014: Evander Holyfield, American Boxer

Maryland

Baltimore

September 10, 2012: Keys to the city were awarded to eight athletes who competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics: swimmers Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky, rower David Banks, windsurfer Farrah Hall, cyclist Bobby Lea, field hockey player Katie O'Donnell, kayaker Scott Parsons, and modern pentathlete Suzanne Stettinius.

Massachusetts

Brockton

• September 29, 1980: Boxer Marvin Hagler was crowned World Middleweight Champion of September 27, and received the key to the city on his return to his hometown.

Michigan

Albion

• 1960s: Ann Landers received the key to the city of Albion upon her visit to Starr Commonwealth for Boys.

Detroit

• Annually: Santa Claus is presented with the Key to the City during each America's Thanksgiving Parade.
• September 26, 1974: Stevie Wonder, renowned Motown recording artist was awarded a key to the city by then Mayor Coleman Young.
• 1980: Then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was awarded the key to the city by Mayor Coleman Young for having donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to a local church.
• January 31, 2006: Detroit native Jerome Bettis was awarded the key to the city by Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick days before his Super Bowl win.
• January 2, 2007: Steve Yzerman received the key to the city after his retirement and having his jersey retired.

Flint

• 1989: Lois M. Craig received the key to the city of Flint.
• June 10, 2007: American Idol finalist LaKisha Jones received a proclamation and key to the city from Mayor Don Williamson.

Nevada

Fernley

• August 2012: Jacob Dalton, American Olympic Gymnast (2012).

Las Vegas

• 1999: Lebanese recording artist Fairuz received the key to the city of Las Vegas
• 2012: Lebanese recording artist Nancy Ajram received the key to the city of Las Vegas.
• 2014: On November 5, American singer Britney Spears was honored, and received the key to the city of Las Vegas.
• 2015: professional baseball players Bryce Harper and Kris Bryant received keys to the city of Las Vegas
• 2016: Professional DJ, record producer, radio personality, and record label executive DJ Khaled received keys to the city of Las Vegas

New Jersey

Atlantic City

• June 21, 2013: Mallory Hagan, winner of Miss America 2013

Hoboken

• October 30, 1947: Frank Sinatra, American Singer and Actor.
• July 6, 1998: Aaron Rosa, drummer of the rock band Palisades.

Jersey City

• March 17, 1961: Brendan Behan, Irish playwright and author, received the keys to Jersey City from Mayor Charles Witkowski.

Paterson

• April 15, 2012: Victor Cruz (American football) of the New York Giants was awarded the key to the city of Paterson for his role in the Super Bowl XLVI victory over the New England Patriots.
• August 28, 2015: Rapper Fetty Wap was given the key to the city of his hometown Paterson, New Jersey by Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres.

New York

Buffalo

• May 19, 2009: Terrell Owens received the key to the city of Buffalo with the provisions that he catch a minimum of 10 touchdown passes for the Buffalo Bills and lead the team into the NFL Playoffs. He only caught five touchdowns, the Bills failed to make the playoffs, and Owens was released at the end of the 2009 season.
• November 6, 2014: Terrence Pegula received the key to the city of Buffalo, as a result of his purchase of the Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Bandits professional sports teams and his construction of the HarborCenter complex.

New York

• June 27, 1702: Viscount Cornbury was presented the "Freedom of the City".
• September 1735: Andrew Hamilton received the "Freedom of the City" for his defence of John Peter Zenger.
• February 25, 1902: Prince Henry of Prussia was presented the Freedom of the City during a visit to New York.
• 1927: The aviator Charles Lindbergh was awarded the key to the city following his record-breaking non-stop flight from New York to Paris.
• February 5, 2008: The New York Giants players, coaches and owners received keys to the city in recognition of their victory at Super Bowl XLII. Presentation took place at City Hall after a ticker-tape parade up the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan.
• February 9, 2009: Chesley B. Sullenberger III received the key to the city for safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River after mid-air faults from a bird collision, saving the lives of all 155 people on board. The First Officer of the Flight, Jeffrey B. Skiles, and flight attendants Sheila Dail, Doreen Welsh and Donna Dent also received keys to the city.
• May 8, 2009: Captain Richard Phillips and crewman William Rios received keys to the city in recognition of their heroism aboard the Maersk Alabama during the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates.
• November 6, 2009: The New York Yankees players, coaches and owners received keys to the city in recognition of their 2009 World Series victory.
• November 18, 2011: Regis Philbin received a key to the city to honor his twenty-eight year contribution to New York media.
• February 7, 2012: The New York Giants players, coaches and owners received keys to the city in recognition of their victory at Super Bowl XLVI. Presentation took place at City Hall after a ticker-tape parade up the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan.
• July 10, 2015: The United States Women's National Soccer Team players and coaches received keys to the city in recognition of their 2015 Women's World Cup victory. The parade was organized on short notice and was the first ticker-tape parade in New York City to honor female athletes since Olympic Athletes in 1984.
• January 9, 2016: Ray Pfeifer FDNY Firefighter receives the Key to the City of New York for his work to help secure health care for over 80.000 9/11/01 first responders. The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was signed in to law on December 18, 2016

Rochester

• June 3, 2013: The Rochester Knighthawks, a professional lacrosse team
• April 23, 2016: Beverly Bond, producer, writer, serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and celebrity DJ, received a key to the city for her contribution to the African American community by empowering and positively impacting the lives of young Black girls through her organization-Black Girls Rock!

Binghamton

• August 12, 2007: Dusan Vemic, a professional tennis player on the ATP world tour was given a key to the city in recognition of his fair play and contribution to the sport.

North Carolina

Wilmington

• June 20, 2013: Stephen King, author, was awarded the Key to the City at an advance screening of the CBS series Under the Dome, based on a novel by King.

Ohio

Columbus

• May 26, 2005: Fatty Koo, singers songwriter Music group

Toledo

• May 13, 2010: Crystal Bowersox, singer-songwriter and actress, was given the key to the city after reaching the finals of American Idol.

Cleveland

• 1968: B.B. King, American blues singer, guitarist, songwriter, and record producer
• June 16, 2011:
• Betty White, Actress
• Wendie Malick, Actress
• Jane Leeves, Actress
• Valerie Bertinelli, Actress

Cast Members of TV Show Hot in Cleveland [1]

• November 5, 2011: Aretha Franklin, American Singer.
• July 17, 2015: Mickey Bey, IBF Lightweight Boxing Champion.

Tennessee

Dayton

• July 21, 1960: John T. Scopes was given the key to the city on the 35th anniversary of the Scopes Trial, in which he had been found guilty of teaching evolution in a Tennessee school.

Elizabethton

• June 21, 2013: Jason Witten, American football player

Memphis

• February 15, 2011: Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura received the key to the city of Memphis for his supertournament victory at the 2011 Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee.

Texas

Missouri City, TX

• March 2, 2015 Johnnie Moutra III (Johnny Long), nationally known for co-hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live at his home & winning the grand prize on ABC's hit reality TV show "Here Come The Newlyweds," was awarded key to the city by Mayor Allen Owen for the national recognition he continues to bring to the city.

Dallas

• December 13, 2009: M. K. Asante was awarded the key to the city of Dallas by Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway for his work as an author, filmmaker, and professor.
• February 6, 2011: Michael Vick, quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, was awarded the key to the city of Dallas by Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway; this proved controversial, as Vick had previously served time in prison for his involvement with an illegal dog-fighting ring.

Houston

• 1990: Maria de Guadalupe Butron Pereda, M.D., professor at the Universidad Veracruzana of Mexico, was awarded the key to the city of Houston for her humanitarian work.
• Selena Quintanilla was awarded the Key to the city of Houston on April 16, 1994. This was her 23rd Birthday, less than a year before her untimely death.
• Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin has been awarded the Key of Houston.
• February 15, 2013: Yao Ming was awarded the key to the city of Houston.
• October 23, 2015: Mufaddal Saifuddin has been awarded the Key of Houston by Mayor Annise Parker.
• March 23, 2016: Marvin Odum, retiring President of Shell Oil Company, was awarded the keys to the city by Mayor Sylvester Turner. Odum was a true philanthropist and man of the people, steering the ship through the treacherous waters of $100+ oil.

Irving

• July 19, 2013: Mike and Bob Bryan, twin brothers and professional tennis players

Mansfield

• June 6, 2013: Tony Kanaan, race car driver

Kingsville

• Pedro Diaz De Leon SR.

Utah

West Valley City

• July 27, 2011: Halaevalu Mata'aho 'Ahome'e, HM The Queen Mother of Tonga

Ogden

• June 15, 2013: Damian Lillard, basketball player

Virginia

Roanoke

• May 4, 2016: George Takei was given the Key to the City by Mayor David A. Bowers

Washington

Spokane

• June 9, 1948: Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States, stopped at Spokane while campaigning for re-election, and was given the key to the city.
• 1980: Ted Nugent, Rock musician, stopped in Spokane during a concert tour, and was given the key to the city by then-mayor Ron Bair.