A Town of One
Eighty-four-year-old Elsie Eiler is the mayor of an almost ghost town.
Monowi, Nebraska is America’s only incorporated town with a population of one, according to census data. Eiler serves as the town mayor, librarian, clerk and bartender of the Monowi Tavern, where she grants her own liquor license.
But being the only resident doesn’t mean Elsie gets lonely. Her tavern serves as a community hub for people in surrounding areas, and when we went to film her, Will Francome and I could scarcely get through an entire interview without customers coming in to grab a burger and catch up with Eiler.
Eiler’s life as the only resident of a ghost town is truly singular. Each year, she hangs up a notice in Monowi’s only business (her bar) advertising mayoral elections, and then votes for herself. She’s required to produce a municipal road plan every year to secure state funding, and then raises about $500 worth of taxes from herself annually to keep the town’s three lampposts flickering and its water flowing.
According to the United States Census, when Eiler’s husband Rudy died, Monowi surpassed nearby Gross, Nebraska, (population: 2) to become the only incorporated town in the US with just one resident. Ever since, Eiler – and the town she runs – has become the subject of a lot of attention.
Today, 14 years later, Eiler has four guest books in the tavern filled with signatures from visitors who have come from all over the world.
“I get asked a lot if I’m lonely, and I say, ‘Well there’s always somebody coming and going.’ I’m visiting with you right now!”
“I’m happy here. I grew up here, I’m used to this and I know what I want. It’s just hard to change after so many years.”
See the entire multimedia package here.
Shot and produced with Will Francome for BBC Travel.