The story of 88-year-old Elsie Eiler may inspire envy in individuals who value solitude. She is a one-of-a-kind figure in the country as the sole resident of Monowi, America’s tiniest town.
According to the 2010 United States Census, Monowi is the nation’s only incorporated town, village, or city with a population of one person, and that person is none other than Elsie Eiler.
Monowi, about 200 miles from Omaha, was once a thriving railroad town in the 1930s. It once had around 120 residents and a thriving business community, including a grocery store, restaurant, and even a prison.
However, as urbanization and technological developments attracted people away from labor-intensive farming and toward new opportunities in larger cities, Monowi began to dwindle. The formerly bustling hamlet deteriorated, and its members either migrated away or died one by one.
In 2004, Elsie faced a profound loss when her beloved husband, Rudy, passed away, leaving her as the last remaining resident of Monowi. Despite the solitude, Elsie made a conscious decision to remain in the town she called home.
But don’t mistake her solitude for boredom or idleness. This strong-willed octogenarian keeps herself remarkably busy. Elsie takes on multiple roles within the town, serving as the tavern owner, mayor, treasurer, clerk, secretary, and librarian. However, she ensures to take a well-deserved rest day on Mondays.
The Monowi Tavern, under Elsie’s management, operates six days a week, welcoming visitors with a selection of burgers, hot dogs, and the “coldest beer in town.” Tourists from over 47 states and more than 40 countries, along with regulars from nearby towns, frequent the tavern for a bite to eat or a refreshing beverage.
Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, Elsie’s tavern received unwavering support from locals, enabling it to endure while other small businesses struggled. In 2021, the town celebrated Elsie’s impressive 50-year tenure as tavern owner, with friends, family, and neighboring townspeople gathering to honor her and relive the town’s history while playing cards and sharing fond memories.
Elsie’s determination to preserve Monowi sets her apart as a devoted caretaker of the town’s legacy. She single-handedly completes the necessary paperwork to maintain Monowi’s incorporation and has even elected herself as the mayor. Collecting $500 in taxes annually, Elsie ensures the town’s three lampposts are well-lit and its water supply is running smoothly.
To secure funding from the state of Nebraska, she meticulously creates a municipal road plan every year. Not stopping there, she self-signs as the town secretary to grant herself the liquor and tobacco licenses needed to operate the tavern.
While her commitment to Monowi remains steadfast, it hasn’t been without challenges. In 2020, confusion arose when the U.S. Census Bureau reported a second resident of Monowi. As it turned out, the bureau had mistakenly attributed a resident from a town further away in Nebraska to Monowi, which only had Elsie as its sole inhabitant.
Asked about the possibility of leaving, Elsie dismisses the idea outright. With determination in her voice, she states, “Each year, I just renew my license and stay again. I mean, basically…I’m happy here. This is where I really – I want to be here, or I wouldn’t stay here.”
Elsie Eiler’s unwavering devotion to preserving Monowi’s identity and keeping its spirit alive makes her a true marvel. In a rapidly changing world, her dedication to the town’s heritage and her role as the heart and soul of Monowi leave an indelible mark on America’s smallest community.