My fascination with ghost towns began when I first started to drive off the beaten trail. It's the romance of the old west - the history I seek. Historic Site - abandoned buildings remain but population is smaller than peak yearsįor me, it doesn't matter what the definition is.Semi-abandoned Site - buildings remain but only a few residents.

Abandoned Site - buildings remain but no population.Neglected Site - little more than rubble and dilapidated buildings.It's interesting to note that Wikipedia separates ghost towns into five distinct categories:

Still others may support full-time residents, though usually far less than at their historical peak, while others may now be museums or historical sites. Other sites are unpopulated but still have standing buildings. Some sites no longer have any trace of buildings or civilization and have reverted to empty land. Ghost towns can include sites in various states of disrepair and abandonment. Whether or not the ghost town must be completely deserted or may contain a small population is a matter for debate.