Wyanet's history dates back to 1821; it was officially plated in 1854 and incorporated in 1857. The community has had several names since its beginning. In 1821 the settlement was first called "Center". Named by Bulbona an Indian trader. In 1837 the Village officially started to sprout its roots due to the area known as "Pond Creek". Named for the Creek at the South edge of town where Ellis Mercer built a saw mill and Amos Leonard built the first flour mill. The first railroad, the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific was built here in 1853. At this time the name was changed to "Kingston" in honor of the land donors Henry and Mary King. The Chicago, Burlington, Quincy Railroad gave the Village its current name, Wyanet, when they completed their rail line in 1855.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, Wyanet has a total area of, all land.
Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 1,028 people, 406 households, and 287 families in the village. The population density was 1,028.0 people per square mile. There were 431 housing units at an average density of 431.0 per square mile. The racial makeup of the village was 99.22% White, 0.29% Native American, 0.29% Asian, and 0.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49%. Of the 406 households 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couplesliving together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 25.6% of households were one person and 11.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.01. The age distribution was 28.1% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% 65 or older. The median agewas 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males. The median household income was $38,289 and the median family income was $43,594. Males had a median income of $31,958 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,888. About 5.2% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
Darwin Teilhet, mystery novelist and screenwriter; born in Wyanet
Patrick "Pappy" McMahon, rescued by John F. Kennedy after the sinking of PT-109; born, raised and died in Wyanet
