Monowi: The one-woman town in US

At its peak in the 1930's the town had 150 people but after the railroad left it began to decline. Now down to a population of just one, Monowi is the only incorporated town, village or city in the United States with just a single resident, Elsie Eiler, 77.

A 1908 photo of the village of Monowi, Nebraska is seen April 28, 2011. The town now has only a half dozen structures still standing and most of them are collapsing. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

Elsie Eiler poses with the town population sign outside of the village of Monowi, Nebraska April 28, 2011 with the abandoned town grain elevator in the background. Eiler is the person living in Monowi making it the only incorporated town, village or city in the United States with only one resident. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

The sign at the bar in the village of Monowi, Nebraska claims to have the coldest beer in town - true since its the only bar in town April 27, 2011. Elsie Eiler, who runs the bar, is the only person living in Monowi making it the only incorporated town, village or city in the United States with just one resident. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

The Methodist church in Monowi, Nebraska stands abandoned April 28, 2011. Over 100 years old, the last event at the church was the funeral of the father of the town's one resident in 1960. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

A collapsed house is slowly being covered by vegatation in Monowi, Nebraska April 28, 2011. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

Elsie Eiler poses with the sign outside the 5,000 book library in the village of Monowi, Nebraska April 28, 2011. The library was the dream of her late husband Rudy a devoted reader. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

An abandoned basketball backboard and net rust in the yard of a decaying house in Monowi, Nebraska April 28, 2011. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

An abandoned building that was once a general store leans into trees as it slowly decays in Monowi, Nebraska April 27, 2011. The general store closed when World War II started and the owner moved out of town to serve on the draft board. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

Elsie Eiler talks to a visitor in the 5,000 book library as she looks through old newspapers in the village of Monowi, Nebraska April 28, 2011. REUTERS/Rick Wilking