Octogenarian Elsie Eiler is the town mayor, treasurer, librarian, bartender, shopkeeper, historian, and only living soul.
She raises taxes on herself once a year and grants herself her own liquor license. You'd think there'd be some kind of checks-and-balances in place with that sort of thing, but it turns out no one cares when you live in Lonelyville.
The crazy part is that Monowi was doomed before Elsie was born, so it's hard to tell what she's fighting for. By the time she was in grade school, Monowi had already peaked at about 150 residents. Since then, the railroad left, the town burned down, the prairie ate the roads, and every decade the population left in trickles. By 1990, there were only eight people left. By 2000, that number was down to two -- Elsie and her husband, Rudy. In 2004, Monowi's population was halved when Rudy died of cancer. If there's one thing you can say about Elsie Eilers, it's that she's not a quitter.
At this point, you're thinking Monowi's only townsperson is either crazy or has a pretty sweet deal, depending on how antisocial you are. Even though she's surrounded by the decay of a place that's decades dead, Elsie keeps herself busy. She runs a tavern that serves truckers, ranchers, and tourists seven days a week. Next to the restaurant is the library, composed entirely of her dead husband's books. If you want to borrow a book, just ask. There isn't a card catalogue or Monowi Public Bar 'n Library card to worry about.
Article original published here: http://www.cracked.com/article_22760_6-weirdest-tiny-towns-in-united-states.html
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