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[[Image:Ghost town.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Whimiscal entrance to ghost town of Rhyolite]]A '''ghost town''' is a [[town]] which once had residents but has become uninhabited. There are several classifications of ghost towns, ranging from a total, or full ghost which is completely deserted but has existing structures (like [[Bodie]], California), to a semi-ghost town which has seen a significant decrease in population, has exisiting boarded up buildings and a small population.   

[[Image:Ghost town.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Whimiscal entrance to ghost town of Rhyolite]]A '''ghost town''' is a [[town]] which once had residents but has become uninhabited. There are several classifications of ghost towns, ranging from a total, or full ghost which is completely deserted but has existing structures (like [[Bodie]], California), to a semi-ghost town which has seen a significant decrease in population, has exisiting boarded up buildings and a small population.   

Ghost towns are often the site of old buildings and ruins, or in some cases the old buildings have been demolished. The designation of ghost town can include sites where a town was located and perhaps only a few foundations, or trace evidence remain.   

Ghost towns are often the site of old buildings and ruins, or in some cases the old buildings have been demolished. The designation of ghost town can include sites where a town was located and perhaps only a few foundations, or trace evidence remain.   

These towns became ghost towns for different reasons.  For some, the town fell into economic decline and all the residents eventually moved out. This is the case, for example, with towns which were former [[railroad]] crew change and watering points during the [[steam locomotive]] era. The [[diesel locomotive]] era made many of these towns, which existed only because of the need to service trains passing through, unnecessary. This can also be the case with former [[mining]] towns which experienced a boom, then a bust as the mine stopped being productive. Other ghost towns became uninhabited because they were evacuated because of a [[disaster]].

These towns became ghost towns for different reasons.  For some, the town fell into economic decline and all the residents eventually moved out. This is the case, for example, with towns which were former [[railroad]] crew change and watering points during the [[steam locomotive]] era. The [[diesel locomotive]] era made many of these towns, which existed only because of the need to service trains passing through, unnecessary. This can also be the case with former [[mining]] towns which experienced a boom, then a bust as the mine stopped being productive. Other ghost towns became uninhabited because they were evacuated because of a [[disaster]].

Ghost towns are a common sight in the old American West. [[Nevada]] and [[Arizona]] in particular saw great periods of growth and decline in the [[American Frontier|Frontier]] period, and the remnants of that boom and bust cycle can be seen in its quiet villages and towns that were once thriving centers of commerce, trade and adventure. Ghost town can and do exist in every state in the U.S and Canada.  

Ghost towns are a common sight in the old American West. [[Nevada]] and [[Arizona]] in particular saw great periods of growth and decline in the [[American Frontier|Frontier]] period, and the remnants of that boom and bust cycle can be seen in its quiet villages and towns that were once thriving centers of commerce, trade and adventure. Ghost town can and do exist in every state in the U.S and Canada.