The Tiny American Town with a Population of One (And She’s the Mayor, Bartender, and Librarian)
In the northeastern plains of Nebraska, there’s a town with one name on the population sign. Most people assume that Monowi is abandoned, but the truth is that it’s very much active, and only one person lives there. That person is Elsie Eiler, who has kept the town functioning since 2004, when her husband Rudy passed away.
The interesting thing is that despite its population, the town has a tavern, a public library, a mayor, a treasurer, and a clerk, and Elsie handles each of these roles.
Monowi Remains on the Map
Every year, Elsie fills out the forms that keep Monowi legally incorporated. She doesn’t do it symbolically or out of habit but because, without those documents, Monowi would cease to exist on paper. As mayor, clerk, and treasurer, she handles the entire process: requesting the state-required liquor license, approving it, and signing it in her dual role. The forms arrive addressed to the town clerk; Elsie opens them and then passes them to herself as the tavern owner.
At the end of the day, these filings allow utilities like water and street lighting to be active. She pays around $500 a year in taxes to maintain the infrastructure, which makes her the town’s only taxpayer. Fascinatingly enough, this one person has kept this going without interruption for over two decades. In that time, no one else has moved in, and no one has stepped up to take over her duties.
The Tavern is Where Monowi Still Comes to Life
The Monowi Tavern is the town’s only business and also its informal gathering place. It opens six days a week, with Elsie handling everything. She starts her day around 6:30 in the morning and often continues well into the evening. Locals from nearby towns visit for coffee in the morning or a drink in the evening. The prices haven’t changed much over the years: beers cost $2 and burgers are priced at $3.50.
The sole resident also minds the bar, the kitchen, and the register. When large groups arrive, like weekend motorcycle riders or cross-country tourists, she manages the crowd alone. If it gets too busy, she might ask someone to pour their own drink while she flips burgers in the back. Even on her day off, she’s restocking supplies or taking care of errands that have the tavern running for the week ahead.
Rudy’s Library is a Personal Project That Became Public
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Andrew Filer
Across from the tavern sits a small building with 5,000 books inside. It’s called Rudy’s Library, named after the sole resident’s late husband, who collected most of the titles. He had planned to open a library but lost his life before completing it. Elsie took over and made the idea real. Today, she maintains the catalog herself, accepts donated books from visitors, and keeps the space open for those who stop by.
It’s not promoted heavily and doesn’t operate on a posted schedule. Still, people find it, and some travellers even sign the guestbooks and leave their names and where they came from.
Monowi’s Future Depends Entirely on One Person
As of now, there are no plans for a successor to Monowi. Elsie’s children and grandchildren visit, and some have helped her during busy stretches, but none intend to take over. Her son had hoped to continue running the tavern, but he did not live long enough. Her granddaughters enjoy visiting and helping behind the bar, but the cost and effort of keeping the town operational are significant.
According to Elsie, she doesn’t dwell on what happens after she’s gone. Instead, she focuses on what needs to be done now. For her, that means ensuring that the bar is stocked, the books are shelved, and the town is active. She leaves the lights on and the water running because someone has to, and right now, no one else is lined up.