Like many small towns in Alaska, Wasilla owes its existence to the Alaska Railroad. In 1917, the rail line being constructed between Anchorage and Fairbanks reached Wasilla. Practically overnight, the tiny community that had been little more than a wayside stop on the Carle Wagon Road became a vital commercial and industrial center for the surrounding area. With the completion of the Parks Highway from Anchorage to Fairbanks in 1971, the area once again began an era of rapid growth and change as it suddenly became possible to live amid the scenic beauty and tranquility of the Wasilla area and work in Anchorage, 43 miles away. These days, visitors can learn more about the characters, events, and decisions that shaped the region at the Dorothy Page Museum and Historical Townsite, located in downtown Wasilla. Other noteworthy local attractions are the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Headquarters and the Knik Museum and Dog Mushers Hall of Fame, both of which spotlight the history and evolution of dog sledding through interpretive exhibits and historical artifacts.