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() is a city in Marion County, Oregon, United States. It was named for Thomas Dove and John Brooks Keizur, two pioneers who arrived in the Wagon Train of 1843, and later filed donation land claims. The population was 32,203 at the 2000 census. The 2006 estimate is 34,880 residents. It is part of the Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area.
, near the banks of the Willamette River. The community was named after Thomas Dove Keizur, one of its first settlers. Somewhere in the translation of donation land claim records, his name was misspelled.
This settlement suffered in the flood of 1861, and the inhabitants rebuilt their homes on higher ground. Further floods in 1943, 1945, 1946 and 1948 hampered the growth of the community, and it was not until dams were built in the 1950s to regulate the flow of the Willamette that Keizer began to flourish.
Many times the City of Salem tried to annex the growing community adjacent to its city limits. Beginning in 1964, a number of Keizer residents tried to convince the people of Keizer that it would be cheaper and better to form their own city. It was not until November 2, 1982, when, with the support of the nearby unincorporated community of Clear Lake, residents voted to make Keizer a city.
Where Keizer Bottom once was is now Keizer Rapids Park, a public park whose attractions include a dog park, playground, boat-in camping, nature trails, and sport courts.