Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Ghost towns/Article guidelines

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edit] Definition

The definition of a ghost town has been, and still is, up in the air on Wikipedia. The main topic of discussion on some of these articles and lists has been what the heck constitutes a ghost town? When does a town cease to exist and become a ghost town. There are a number of towns and villages categorized as ghost towns which, indeed, have people living in them. So how do we define ghost town? How do we define defunct city or town? I propose the following.

Ghost town: For a town, village or city to be considered a ghost town under five people have to live there if there was once a significant population. The way I see it any "community" that was once an actual community that has shrank to the size of five or less probably isn't going to see growth ever again, in fact I would say it's not outside the realm to believe a place with less than five people is doomed.

Defunct city/town/village: First let's call it something specific, one of the three, I like Defunct towns in ....(inset state here), but whatever works. Secondly, a definition, which I think we were close to before I dissapeared for a bit and altered the scope slightly. The proposal, a defunct town is any place which has been absorbed by another munipality and encompassed into that municipality. Speak up, we just need a consensus. A mcmurray 20:22, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Lists

Should we create lists? While they be hard to ever complete it would give new members somewhere to start creating articles without having to find out some places to create articles about. I vote for it, I can do it, by state if you want. We may even eventually be able to be rid of the lists, I just think they help when looking for somewhere to start. What does everybody think? A mcmurray 20:27, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

I have decided to be bold and create lists as states warrant them. They may never be really complete but they will help as far as giving people a place to start.A mcmurray 09:07, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Infobox

I know, I know, three topics at once, right, what am I, Windows? Anyway we need an infobox, if I don't see anyone volunteer and make one I will take a shot at it, but as far as info to include I was thinking something along the lines below, labeled and titled for the box in whatever way the creator thinks works best, but this is what I was thinking for basic info.

A label: Like American Ghost town, or U.S. Ghost town, or something, linking, probably to ghost town. Image: a place for an image and or a state map with red dot, (state would be best, national map is too ambiguous I think) Caption: A place for an image caption Place name: town, county, country type thing. Absorbed by: (munipality--for defunct towns/cities only) Coordinates: Longitude/latitude Founded: year Abandoned/Absorbed: year Founder: Person Type of town: A lot of towns that were abandoned were part of something else, i.e. mining towns, logging towns, company towns, etc. if applicable to each entry that could be included.

Any other thoughts? Any volunteers?

A mcmurray 20:35, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

How about using the [[Template:Infobox City]] and paring it down for our project? Ronbo76 22:50, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

Sounds good to me, do you have an example or did you want me to do it? I can, it's no problem. IvoShandor 08:41, 10 March 2007 (UTC)