The history of Wasilla begins with the history of Knik, the first boom town in the Mat-Su Valley, which by 1915 boasted a population of 500. The town served the early fur trappers and miners working the gold fields at Cache Creek and Willow Creek.

Wasilla was established in 1917 with the construction of the Alaska Railroad. Wasilla’s proximity to the gold fields and railroad service lured Knik residents to relocate in the new town-”some of them even dragging their homes and businesses with them. In a few short years, Knik became a ghost town. The current town site was established in 1917 at the intersection of the Knik-Willow mining trail and the newly constructed Alaska Railroad. It was a supply base for gold, notably at Hatcher Pass, and coal mining in the region through World War II.

Wasilla was named after the respected local Dena’ina Indian, Chief Wasilla (also known as Chief Vasili). In the Dena’ina Athabascan Indian dialect, “Wasilla” is said to mean “breath of air.” Other sources claim the Chief derived his name from the Russian language, and that “Vasili” is a variation of the Russian name “William.” At the intersection of the Carle Wagon Road (now Wasilla-Fishhook Road) and the newly-constructed Alaska Railroad. It was a supply base for gold and coal mining in the region through World War II. The Matanuska-Susitna valley was settled by many Colony homesteaders in the 1930s. Construction of the George Parks Highway through Wasilla in the early 1970s provided direct access to Anchorage.

The town of Wasilla was incorporated in 1974. In 1994 a statewide ballot initiative to move the capital of Alaska to Wasilla was defeated by about 116,000 to 96,000. In January 2006 a new hospital, Mat-su Regional Medical Center, opened. It is the second largest hospital in the entire state, situated outside the city limits, halfway between Wasilla and its twin city of Palmer.

Wasilla is the headquarters for the Iditarod Trail Committee. The Iditarod Sled Dog Race is more than a race; it is a commemoration of the colorful past. The Iditarod Trail, now a national historical trail, had its beginnings as a mail and supply route from the coastal towns of Seward and Knik to the interior mining camps and beyond to the west coast communities. Mail and supplies went in. Gold came out. All via dog sled. Heroes were made, legends were born.

In 1925, part of the Iditarod Trail became a life-saving highway for epidemic stricken Nome. Diphtheria threatened the community and the serum had to be brought in: again by intrepid dog mushers and their faithful hard-driving huskies. Today’s Iditarod race is a commemoration of those yesteryears, a not-so-distant past Alaskans honor and are proud of. The 1994 race faced new difficulties as two of the major corporate sponsors pulled out due to pressure from animal rights groups. Tesoro Alaska and other Alaskan Corporations stepped forward to insure that this great tradition continues.