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marilyn k holmberg | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Population ... ONE!!! tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Population ... ONE!!!

Monowi is a village located in Boyd County, Nebraska. During the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 2; only one married couple, Rudy and Elsie Eiler, lived there. Mr. Eiler died in 2001, leaving his wife, Elsie Eiler as the only remaining resident. According to the United States Census Bureau, only 4 places in the United States had a population of one person in 2000: Ervings, New Hampshire, New Amsterdam, Indiana, Hibberts, Maine, and Lost Springs, Wyoming.

Monowi's peak years were in the 1930s, when it had a population of 130. Due to growing cities that offered more lucrative jobs, Monowi, like many other small towns in the Great Plains, lost its younger residents to the big cities.

Although almost nearly abandoned, the town does have the 5000-volume Rudy's Library, founded in memory of Mr. Eiler and maintained by Mrs. Eiler. In addition, Mrs. Eiler runs a tavern in Monowi and draws regular customers from as far away as 80 miles.
Monowi, NE
Monowi, NE		 Monowi, NE
Monowi, NE		 Monowi, NE
Monowi, NE		 Monowi, NE
Monowi, NE
Monowi, NE
Monowi, NE		 Monowi, NE
Monowi, NE		 Monowi, NE
Monowi, NE		 Monowi, NE
Monowi, NE

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Guest 17-Feb-2011 12:14
this place has been on my mind...i want to visit..any updates?
Jim & Barb 02-Sep-2008 02:05
I just found out about this area when I looked up the smallest town in America. After 17 years in the military and time in Iraq, My wife and I are ready to relocate to the area. Our grown sons would even like to go out there. If anyone can give some updated information on the area, please do so.

Thanks
Tamara 12-Aug-2007 18:31
I never heard of Monowi until I saw the story on TV. It really caught my interest so I looked it up on google. It would be wonderful to bring an abandoned home back to life and not be ball-n-chained to a mortgage for life. Being a volunteer at a wildlife prairie refuge in central Iowa got my attention too. I think it would be a wonderful peaceful place to live if you could find a way to make a living there and with computers and fax machines it could be possible. I can vision Monowi turning into a revived "little" community for people wanting a simple quiet life, like me. It could happen!
Fred Romero 12-Aug-2007 16:09
I, too, just saw the Sunday Morning piece on Monowi, and like a lot of you my mind went into "what if" mode. My wife and I live in So Cal, we've raised our kids, we're tired of the traffic, crime, taxes and politics of CA, and the illegal immigration issue/problem is over the top in my community. What if we pulled up stakes, packed up a few things we can't live without, and drove east to Monowi to talk to a real estate broker about about relocating to the heartland of America? It doesn't hurt to dream, although I'm not sure I would go along with Dan's idea of turning Monowi into a politically correct hippy commune. Unless I'm mistaken, I'll just bet the locals around the area drive high octane trucks made in America, they own guns and hunt, they vote with their brains and not by what the major media say, and they believe open borders are an invitation for another terrorist attack. Personally, I think Monowi would be a slice of heaven just the way it is. If people want to set up an enclave for the arts and their liberal ideology, I'd much rather see it located on either of the extreme coasts.
Duane 12-Aug-2007 15:07
Well it's been on TV again 8/12/07 with no mention of new residents. I'm wondering if anyone has gone there to find out any of the answers to the questions this website (and many others like it) have been asked in the comments sections? Someone go there and get the info we all need to start a new life there and we can spread it around the internet. Post what you find out here. Never know, maybe we could turn this into a town again.
PS: I'm with you Patti ... My wife and I said the same thing "We have to go there!".
Patti 12-Aug-2007 14:49
Wow, My husband and I were just watching Sunday morning and saw this wonderful place. We both turned to each other and said "We have to go there" Maybe we will sell out here and move there. I will have to do some research. I am sure that since this story first aired there are probably more people there. I wonder? We will have to visit. Does anyone know if there is still only Elsie there? I would love to know.
Linda 20-Jul-2007 22:52
My Mother lived here in 1917. I have a pic of the sharecroppers house and the land, even a buggy. No people. Sent it to Elsie, but she never responded. She may have known the family because of the time the family was there. Hope to hear, Elsie!
firoz 29-Dec-2006 06:56
I want to join the family here how can i do so give guidelines.
Jennifer 12-Dec-2006 17:55
One of my best friends was from Monowi, back in the 1980's because her family was pretty large the town boasted a population of 9. Elsie makes the best burgers in town and its a must stop for hunters and a hang out for card players on cold winter days.
MS 11-Dec-2006 01:18
My parents are from Boyd County, Nebraska (they both graduated from high school in Lynch), and I've been through Monowi many, many times. My mother’s family farmed outside of Monowi and the town still holds a special place in her heart. Apparently, when my parents were younger (in the late 1960s and early 70s) the tavern was the cool hang-out for kids from surrounding towns. Anytime my parents get together with my aunts and uncles they reminisce about the laughs they had at the Monowi tavern.
george 06-Nov-2006 23:57
how far are you from Nebraska? i would like to go visit Monowi.
Dane Matthew 29-Oct-2006 22:10
If you "Google" Monowi, NE...there are quite a few sites. Read some of the comments and blog entries. I don't think there would be problem re-populating this town. We need to find out who owns all the buildings and land. It would be a land-rush! I know I would be interested in the church. Maybe start a fire dept even.
John 29-Oct-2006 17:13
Just featured on the "Osgood File" on the Sunday morning CBS news. Stock the coolers, Elsie can certainly expect a spike in visitors!
Kathy 12-Aug-2006 16:45
You aren't going to believe this, but I was actually IN Monowi, this summer! And somehow I didn't even stop at the tavern! We just took a picture of the population sign.
Guest 19-Mar-2006 01:09
what a wild story!! thank you for sharing!
Dan Stafford 27-Nov-2005 19:11
For some reason, this place seems to haunt me ever since I read of it a couple of weeks ago. I wonder if there isn't some way to revive the town. Maybe begin a writers' conference, an artists' retreat and show, start a blog asking people to help. A colony of environmentally conscious persons who would build homes friendly to the Earth? I don't know, just some random ideas that come to mind.
Dan Stafford 22-Nov-2005 02:31
This is a sad commentary on the way things are today. We've got to better by rural America.
Guest 29-Aug-2005 01:09
great gallery...its got my vote...I can not picture myself living in a village all by myself...
Angie Shaffer19-Aug-2005 23:10
Such a cool story! How far did she have to drive to get groceries? Yikes! Angie
Guest 09-Aug-2005 16:00
Facinating story....... and wonderful images 'm'......
Guest 08-Aug-2005 11:50
Another beautiful gallery!!
Nichole Dillon-Lee08-Aug-2005 07:32
WOW! And I always thought that the population 1 towns were kind of a Urban Legend...I think I might need to put this on the list of interesting places to visit. You have captured some wonderful images 'm'!!!
Guest 08-Aug-2005 07:14
Now I know where to go, when I get enough of the crowded city. Love it!!
Jeanne Newman08-Aug-2005 04:46
Wonderful story with heart AND charm and accompanied by a series of very good photographs - you've been a busy lady, 'M' -- and it shows!
Guest 08-Aug-2005 02:07
great story and interesting shots!
Guest 08-Aug-2005 01:57
What a great story and beautiful images.
Toni Moore07-Aug-2005 23:38
I thought you had already posted this gallery previously until I realized I saw it on TV...toni
Guest 07-Aug-2005 23:25
What great gallery and story!!!
Lynda
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