Keizer History

The early settlement of Keizer Bottom was located near the banks of the Willamette River. The community is reportedly named after Thomas Dove Keizur, a local settler. Keizer Bottom was flooded in 1861 and area residents rebuilt on higher ground. Later flooding slowed the community's growth. Once dams were built in the 1950's to regulate the Willamette River, Keizer began to flourish.

Because the city of Salem is located close to Keizer, many Oregonians are familiar with the term 'Salem-Keizer,' much like 'Minneapolis-St. Paul' or Seattle-Tacoma.'  Given this proximity, the much larger City of Salem tried to annex the Keizer area to its city limits.

In 1964, Keizer residents considered the advantages in forming their own city. In 1982 with the support of the nearby unincorporated community of Clear Lake, residents voted to make Keizer a city.

Keizer Rapids Park

Keizer Rapids Park is now located where Keizer Bottom once was. Keizer Rapids Park includes a dog park, playground, boat access, camping, nature trails and sport courts.  View a trail map of Keizer Rapids park here & a vicinity map here.

Jason Lee

An early Keizer area minister whose name remains known world-wide is missionary Jason Lee.  Originally born in Canada, Reverend Lee worked much of his life to teach and bring the Gospel to northwest Native Americans.

His legacy lives on in many ways, including as the founder of what is now Willamette University.

Upon his death, Reverend Jason Lee
was buried near his Canadian birth-
place.  Decades later, a petition to
return Jason Lee to Oregon was
initiated. 

In 1906, the Reverend Lee's body
was disinterred and ceremoniously
re-buried in Salem's Lee Cemetery.

Lee Mission Cemetery Entrance