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Wasilla
 Wasilla
is located midway between the Matanuska and Susitna Valleys, on the
George Parks Highway. It lies between Wasilla and Lucille Lakes, 43
miles north of Anchorage, about one hour's drive. It lies at
approximately 61° 34' N Latitude, 149° 26' W Longitude (Sec. 10, T017N,
R001W, Seward Meridian). The community is located in the Palmer
Recording District. The area encompasses 11 sq. miles of land and 1 sq.
miles of water.
Wasilla was named after the respected local Dena'ina Indian, Chief
Wasilla. 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". The townsite 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 and coal mining in the
region through World War II. The Matanuska-Susitna valley was settled by
many homesteaders as part of an experiment in the 1930s. Agricultural
crops and natural resources sustained growth and development in the
valley.
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