Monowi Nebraska

Village · Boyd County · Population 2 (2020 census) · ZIP 68746 · Founded 1902 · Peak population 123 (1930)

About Monowi

Monowi is an incorporated village on NE 12 in eastern Boyd County, about 7 miles east of Lynch. Elsie Eiler is its only resident. She is the mayor, clerk and treasurer, runs the Monowi Tavern and keeps Rudy's Library. The 2020 census figure of 2 comes from the Census Bureau's privacy methods; Elsie is the only resident.

History

The Pioneer Town Site Company platted Monowi in 1902, when the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad (later the Chicago & North Western) built west from Niobrara up the Ponca Creek valley. The name is said to come from an Indian word for a flower; local histories say snow-on-the-mountain. The post office took over from one called Alford on July 3, 1902. Monowi's population peaked at 123 in 1930 and was down to 18 by 1980. Rail service ended in 1978.

Rudy and Elsie Eiler bought the tavern in 1971. By 2000 they were the town's only residents. After Rudy died in 2004, Elsie became mayor and opened Rudy's Library, about 5,000 books, in his memory. Visitors from all 50 states and dozens of countries have signed the tavern's guest book.

More about Monowi: Elsie Eiler and the Story of Monowi · Monowi Tavern · Monowi Library

Read the full History of Monowi →

Highways and trails through Monowi

Route	One way	Other way
NE 12Grant Street in Monowi	West to Lynch (about 7 mi)	East to Verdel (about 7 mi) and Niobrara (about 15 mi)

Nearby towns

Lynch	about 7 mi west	NE 12
Verdel	about 7 mi east	NE 12
Bristow	about 13 mi west	NE 12
Niobrara	about 15 mi east	NE 12

Things to see

Monowi Tavern, 9 Broad St. (closed Mondays) · Rudy's Library, across the street, on the honor system · Alford Cemetery

Health care

Nearest hospital Niobrara Valley Hospital, Lynch (about 7 mi)

Sources: U.S. Census; Wikipedia; NEGenWeb Boyd County histories; History Nebraska; Nebraska Department of Transportation route mileposts. Distances marked "about" are estimates.