This Nebraska town has America's smallest population — too tiny even for rock-paper-scissors

Most of us are used to having people around us in one way or another. They could be family, friends, roommates, coworkers, store owners and more. But can you imagine being the only person around and doing everything by yourself? That is the reality of Elsie Eiler, the woman who is the only resident of Monowi, Nebraska—the smallest town in the US. It is five miles from South Dakota and is located in the remote Northern reaches of Nebraska, according to the BBC. Eiler is not just the only resident; she is also the mayor, bartender, librarian and more in the town.

After her husband Rudy passed in 2004, Eiler has been living and running the town by herself, including the tavern, which has quite a few regular customers. Monowi is the only place in the country with just one resident, according to the US Census. Eiler hangs up a notice at her bar every year advertising the mayoral elections and then votes for herself. She also manages to make a road plan every year to get state funding and raises $500 by herself in taxes to keep the three lamp posts working and to have running water. "When I apply to the state for my liquor and tobacco licenses each year, they send them to the secretary of the village, which is me. So, I get them as the secretary, sign them as the clerk, and give them to myself as the bar owner," Eiler shared.

Eiler, in her 90s, also keeps a record of the vacant residential lots to see if anyone would want to move into the town. "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." In the 1930s, the town had around 150 people and all the usual things a small town would have. Eiler grew up on a farm, a quarter of a mile away from Monowi and met her husband, Rudy, when she was in primary school. The couple even took a bus together to get to the nearest secondary school, which was seven miles away. However, soon enough, Rudy enlisted in the US Air Force and served in France during the Korean War. Eiler moved to Kansas City at that time. 

"I went to work for an airline with the dream of becoming a stewardess. I didn’t much care for the city. Monowi had always been home," she said. However, soon enough, Rudy enlisted in the US Air Force and served in France during the Korean War. Eiler moved to Kansas City at that time. Eiler got married to Rudy at 19 and moved back to the town. The couple had two children while Rudy worked at the grain elevator and delivered fuel to petrol stations. Eventually, he decided to fix the old tavern that belonged to Eiler's father with her permission and started running it in 1971.

A YouTube creator named Peter (@ImPeterMc) flew from North Carolina to spend 24 hours in Monowi. He visited Eiler at her tavern. She told Peter that the town was mostly agricultural and that didn't leave much to do for the young people at the place. "There's no place else where I want to go," she shared. "I know everybody for miles and miles and miles, there are guys from O'Neil, which is 50 miles away from here, that's what neighbors here are." People might wonder if Eiler is lonely and she expressed, "I have always preferred my private time. After I lock up, I am perfectly happy to be at my house. I need quiet, that's why I enjoy this."