Monowi, Nebraska: Inside America's Smallest Incorporated Town

Population: 1

County: Boyd County

There are small towns, and then there is Monowi. Located in northern Nebraska near the South Dakota border, Monowi holds a distinction unlike any other community in the United States: it is the nation's smallest incorporated town. For years, the village has been home to a single resident, making it one of the most unusual places in America and a destination that attracts curious travelers from around the world. I’ve been there six times myself…and each and every experience has been different from the last!

How Monowi Got Its Name

The name "Monowi" comes from a Native American word meaning "flower." The community was named for the abundance of wildflowers that once covered the surrounding prairie, particularly a plant known as snow-on-the-mountain.

Although Boyd County was organized in 1891, Monowi did not truly begin to take shape until the arrival of the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad in 1902. The railroad brought opportunity, and the newly established townsite quickly attracted settlers and entrepreneurs.

The Early Days of Monowi

One of the first permanent families to settle in Monowi was the Levi Brunson family, who established a livery stable shortly after the railroad arrived.

Other businesses soon followed:

John Marcellus opened a general store
Fremont Persons established a restaurant
Christ Johnson operated a hotel
Dr. Frank Keep opened a drug store

Banks, hardware stores, additional livery barns, and other businesses soon appeared. A post office was established in 1902 and served the community for nearly seven decades before closing in 1971. Like many railroad communities across the Great Plains, Monowi experienced its greatest growth during the first half of the twentieth century. By 1930, the village had a population of 123.

Monowi, Nebraska — Bird’s-eye view, circa 1908. Monowi is famous throughout the state for being the “smallest incorporated town in the world,” with a population of 1: mayor, librarian, sheriff, and bartender, Elsie Eiler. While not much remains in town today, this early 1900s snapshot showcases everything from storefronts to a school and a depot in the bottom right.

The Decline of a Railroad Town

Monowi's fortunes gradually changed as agriculture modernized and rural populations declined. The community lost residents decade after decade, and the situation worsened when the Chicago & North Western Railway discontinued service through the town in 1978. As businesses closed and families moved elsewhere, Monowi slowly transformed from a bustling prairie settlement into one of the nation's most distinctive communities…albeit not by choice.

Meet Elsie Eiler

Today, Monowi is synonymous with one person: Elsie Eiler.

At 90+ years old, Elsie is the town's sole resident and serves in virtually every official capacity imaginable. She is the mayor, librarian, tavern owner, postmaster, and primary caretaker of the community. Monowi's population has occasionally become the subject of controversy due to census methods designed to protect privacy in extremely small communities. While some census reports have listed populations greater than one, Elsie has repeatedly clarified that she is the town's only permanent resident.

During the 1990s, while serving on the village board, she even contacted broadcaster Paul Harvey to correct reports that claimed Monowi had six residents. By 2000, only Elsie and her husband, Rudy, remained. Following Rudy's passing, Elsie became Monowi's sole resident—a title she continues to hold today.

Elsie is still pretty quick-witted, too, despite her old age. In July 2025, I showed up with six of my closest friends for a bachelor’s trip to Deadwood, South Dakota. We walked into the tavern—greeting members of the Boyd and Butte County Sheriff’s Departments and locals—and selected a table near where Elsie was grilling. She recognized Austin and me from our previous visits, but was surprised to see the company we had brought with us. While we were chatting away with one another, she got a devilish smirk and went to grab her honorary sheriff’s department badge. Putting it around her neck, she grabbed a stick from the wall and began to point at each one of us:

“Now I may be old,” she said with a serious but playful tone, “but I won’t hesitate to use this if any of you boys misbehave!”

Elsie did not, in fact, have to swing her stick or call upon the sheriff’s department that day.

The Monowi Tavern

The heart of Monowi is the Monowi Tavern, a beloved roadside stop that attracts visitors from across the United States and beyond. Inside, visitors will find memorabilia, stories, and a welcoming atmosphere that has made the establishment legendary among road trippers and Nebraska history enthusiasts. Elsie’s beloved eatery celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021. Nearly two hundred people flocked to the town—including my buddy Austin and me—to celebrate Elsie’s accomplishment with free food courtesy of 402 Beef, a celebratory cake, and a day of fun!

One particularly notable display in the tavern comes from a 2018 advertising campaign.

Monowi's Connection to a Famous Arby's Commercial

In 2018, Monowi received national attention when Arby's selected the town for a memorable advertising campaign. To promote its partnership with Coca-Cola, the company constructed what it called the World's Largest Advertisement—a massive 212,000-square-foot banner proclaiming:

"Arby's now has Coke."

As part of the campaign, Coca-Cola presented Elsie with a personalized collection of Coke bottles, which remain on display at the tavern today.

A Global Attraction

Despite its population of one, Monowi has become one of Nebraska's most visited small communities. Travelers from around the world stop by to meet Elsie, sign the guestbook, enjoy a meal, and experience one of America's most unusual places firsthand. Even celebrities like Larry the Cable Guy, best known as the voice of Tow Mater in Pixar's Cars franchise, have made the journey. Numerous YouTubers and travel personalities have also documented their visits to the tiny village. Elsie and her village of one have been featured in hundreds of newspaper articles, television segments, documentaries, and online videos. Elsie has her own media library at Rudy’s Library, which honors the legacy of her late husband, who passed away in the late 1990s.

More Than a Curiosity

While many visitors come to say they have visited America's smallest incorporated town, Monowi represents something deeper. It’s a reminder of the thousands of small communities that once dotted the Great Plains and grew alongside the railroads that helped build the American West. Though only one resident remains, Monowi continues to thrive in its own unique way through the determination, hospitality, and spirit of Elsie Eiler.

For travelers seeking unusual destinations, fascinating history, and unforgettable stories, there are few places quite like Monowi, Nebraska.

These photos were taken during visits on July 12, 2020, and June 25, 2021. Communities are constantly changing, and some features may look different today. We encourage visitors who have stopped in Monowi to share their own stories, memories, and experiences in the comments below.

Learn more about things to see and do in Nebraska by picking up a visitor’s guide here.