Keizer is a city located in Marion County, Oregon, United States, along the 45th parallel. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 36,478. Take a look below for 20 interesting and amazing facts about Keizer, Oregon, United States.

1. It lies in the Willamette Valley and is part of the Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2. It was named after pioneer Thomas Dove (T. D.) Keizur and his family who arrived in the Wagon Train of 1843, and later filed donation land claims.

3. The original settlement was at Keizer Bottom, near the banks of the Willamette River.

4. The community was named after Thomas Dove Keizur, one of its first settlers.

5. Somewhere in the translation of donation land claim records, his name was misspelled.

6. The 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.

7. The City of Salem tried to annex the growing community adjacent to its city limits many times.

8. 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.

9. It was not until November 2, 1982, that, with the support of the nearby unincorporated community of Clear Lake, residents voted to make Keizer a city.

10. Keizer Bottom is now the site of Keizer Rapids Park, a public park whose attractions include a dog park, playground, boat-in camping, nature trails, a disc golf course, and sport courts.

11. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.21 square miles (18.67 km2), of which 7.09 square miles (18.36 km2) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.31 km2) is water.

12. The annual KeizerFEST, formally known as the Iris Festival, takes place in May and showcases Keizer’s iris-growing industry.

13. The festival was founded by Schreiner’s Iris Gardens, one of the country’s largest retail iris growers, and has been facilitated by the Keizer Chamber of Commerce since 1987.

14. Events include a carnival, a beer garden, craft and food vendors, a 5k walk/run, a vintage car show, and a parade.

15. Every year from the beginning of December until the day after Christmas the Gubser school neighborhood hosts the “Keizer Miracle of Christmas Lighting Display.”

16. Many of the neighborhood’s residents decide to put up Christmas lights along with other various holiday themed displays. Up to 20,000 vehicles visit the approximately 3.5-mile (5.6 km) route each year. Along the route visitors are able to donate canned foods and non-perishable items. In 2007 19,000 pounds (8,600 kg) of food were collected for the Marion Polk Food Share and $17,100 was received in cash.

17. The Keizer Heritage Museum is inside the Keizer Heritage Community Center, which was formerly the Keizer School.

18. The school, built in 1916, has been completely restored and is the only public historic building in Keizer.

19. Other tenants of the building include the Keizer Community Library, the Keizer Art Association and gallery, and the Keizer Chamber of Commerce.

20. Keizer is part of the Salem-Keizer School District and has one high school: McNary, two middle schools: Claggett Creek and Whiteaker, and seven elementary schools: Clear Lake, Cummings, Forest Ridge, Gubser, Keizer, Kennedy and Weddle.