E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSKevin Murphy of Reuters reports: Elsie Eiler is the most admired person in Monowi, Neb. She is also the smartest, wealthiest, best-looking and youngest.
"And the oldest," she is quick to add.
Rick Wilking / Reuters
Elsie Eiler poses with the town population sign outside of the village of Monowi, Nebraska on April 28, with the abandoned town grain elevator in the background. Eiler is the person living in Monowi making it the only incorporated town, village or city in the United States with only one resident.
When you are the only resident of a community, every title fits.
Eiler, 77, is the lone inhabitant of Monowi, a village in northeast Nebraska. That is unique, according to new 2010 U.S. Census data, which indicates Monowi to be the only incorporated town, village or city in the country with only one resident.
Rick Wilking / Reuters
A 1908 photo of the town of Monowi.
Monowi had two people in 2000, the census showed, but the other one was Eiler's husband, Rudy, and he died in 2004.
"We probably have the record by going down in population 50 percent," Eiler quipped. "I chose to stay here after my husband died. It's home."
Rick Wilking / Reuters
Abandoned Louisa Street in Monowi is seen completely grown over with vegetation on April 28. At its peak in the 1930s the town had 150 residents but after the railroad left it began to decline.
Eiler lives in a mobile home a half-block from the only business in town -- the Monowi Tavern. This is convenient because Eiler owns and operates the tavern. She and her husband bought the place in 1971 and she is there 12 hours a day serving drinks and food. Eiler also runs the town library, a tiny building jammed with 5,000 books that is dedicated to Rudy, a devoted reader.
Rick Wilking / Reuters
An abandoned building that was once a general store leans into trees as it slowly decays in Monowi on April 27. The general store closed when World War II started and the owner moved out of town to serve on the draft board.
You can read photographer Rick Wilking's reflections on his trip to Monowi on the Reuters blog.
NBC's Bob Dotson reports from Monowi in June, 2005.
Leave a Comment:
This woman and her town were recently featured on "Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy". He held a fundraiser for her so that they could get the main road fixed. Hundreds of people turned out to meet him, he was dishing up hot dogs, and donated money to the cause. This just shows that little towns all across America are drying up and being forgotten. There is no industry in this little town and as children grew up they moved on and never came back. Hopefully this will renew interest in the town and maybe she wont be the only one still living there.
I saw that episode. It made me cry.
This woman could actually make a fortune selling that old barn wood. The pic of the old leaning store building alone. People pay high prices for that wood. I also wonder does this mean she owns the whole Town or are property deeds in other names and do they pay taxes.
But there is a fortune in that wood. They will even pay you to come and take it apart themselves.
God bless her soul and all those who still value small town ideals.
For those people who want to move into small towns and start small farm, get their children away from city life, bullies, and have be home schooled (until teachers start showing up), and start a business, this place would make a great start for any family to start over. All you need to do is visit for summer vacation and take a tour of this and other small towns.
GO small towns!
So what are you all waiting for? Forget that mess. Who wants to go back and live like they did in 1908? Have at it we'll come back and get you in 3010. Is this what the "I want my country back" crowd wanted?
You expect to live a thousand more years?? I suppose home schooling in a small town is better than public school in larger cities. It seems that there is a stupidity movement in America. Kids can't spell, men cannot even change their flat tire on the side of the road, women don't know how to cook anymore. Close McDonalds and most will starve.......
I love this story---not because it is trying to get us all to move back to small towns. I love it because it celebrates a woman, her history, and set of ideals that continues to shape her life even as she continues to live by them. A sweet sweet story! Bravo, and let's raise a glass of ----whatever---to her and to those of us who, wherever we live, try to live out our ideals and own histories!
This poor woman. She must be so lonely. I was about to say it cant be a town if only one person lives there....but we have ghost towns where no one lives.
Well we have Washinton DC where no human lives.
This would be an awesome place to retire. No hustle bustle of city life. It is very inviting to me. I would go there to live.
This is a nice sweet Story, but what is not told is that she gets money, not much from the county for the township, also taxes pay to put those road signs up. It may be sad but the town is dead, no money should still be spent to pretend that it isn't. This is a very small amount, but all govenment waste needs to stop, we don't need to start here, but no amount of waste is too small to ignore!
@chicken-little - and I suppose you think she should just leave her home - maybe be put into a senior care center where they can take all her money - just because the government "waste" needs to stop. there's alot more "waste" going on that does NOT involve these little towns
Ok thanks Debbie Downer.
fantastic!
Spot this town on a map and go spend a winter there before you say it's where you would like to retire.
Some of us like winter!
GOD Bless her!......She is sticking to her ideals and honoring her husband by naming the Library after him is touching!
GOD BLESS/ GOD "SAVE" AMERICA!
We visited this town of Monowi a number of years ago when it had two people (Elsie & her husband). Our daughter was dating a young man from a nearby town that was joining in the fun day with the Night Owl motorcycle club. We as parents decided to take a drive to the area to see what was there. Later that summer we stopped by the cafe and had a very good meal. When I asked where the restroom was I was directed outside to an outside biffy. I was rather surprised but it did have electricity!! I admire Elsie for keeping the town going. She is the true picture of a hard working person that has very good values as well as a good cook. Congratulations Elsie--we are proud of you!
GO NITE OWLS!!!!!!!!!
I wish I lived there!!
now the problems, will start, some scammer is going to go, an ruin life for this nice lady. just what the town needed to be advertised. probably was not the bet idea!
Elsie's mother and my grandfather were cousins. I remember many times as a child going to Monowi for family gatherings. Good times. Small town America lives on!
Live and let live!
Even one life is not a wast! she happy there let be and them signs look at how old they are.
True that.
How much is some land there?
I bought a 20's brick three bedroom for $4000. Check out our unemployment and crime rate, can't get much lower. My mother has never had a working lock on her door and everyone still leaves their keys in their cars. It's like Mayberry I swear!
sounds like the place I want to live, love it
Raising $$ to "help" this town is only going to extend the inevitable. It is unfortunate, but everything exists because it has a reason. Birth, growth, decline and death apply to cities as well as organisms. The reason for its existence has left so therefore the town dies. I grew up in a town in south Texas that had the same thing happen. When the railroad bypassed Oakville, in 1915 it began to die and is still dying today. Its a sad thing, but so is Grandma's passing, but no amount of $$ is going to change it. Let the congregation say AMEN!
so true , and so so sad.
I actually agree. What a waste. Start transplanting homeless people there or something instead of just letting those buildings fall apart or stop wasting tax payer money on it.
Smart lady (and her husband).... everything is thriving around her! All property is farmed and planted as shown in the satellite photos. People pay to get away from others like the way she is living... By keeping the town incorporated, the govt pays her to live the life she wants. Genious.
She is in Paridise. No Politicians. I wonder how far she has to drive for food and Gas. Does she have a Telephone or TV
I have been to Monowi many times and I have met Ms. Eiler. There is another small town of about 150-200 people only 11 miles away where there is a gas station and a grocery store.