Ghost Town Classification & Type Guide

ExpeditionUtah

Administrator
Classifications:

Class 1 - Barren Town
Site contains little or no remnants of towns original structures. Archaeological digging and or metal detecting primary ways to determine town location and layout. Few foundations if any exist. The towns structures have either been moved, destroyed by flood or fire or simply dissolved to nothing over the years.
Example: Sandtown, Utah County, Utah

Class 2 - Neglected Town
Remaining structures are in generally poor and uninhabitable condition. Structures are likely beyond salvage or repair, caved roofs and or walls. No permanent residents.
Example: Blacks Fork, Summit County, Utah

Class 3 - Abandoned Town
No permanent population with exception of security or caretaker if applicable. Buildings are in general disrepair though many are still standing. Some structures could potentially be restored and or renovated to their original condition, others are in complete decay or have already fallen.
Example: Grafton, Washington County, Utah

Class 4 - Semi-Abandoned Town
Majority of structures are vacant and in general disrepair. Significant number of intact buildings and plethora of building remnants. 75% or more of the towns buildings are uninhabited, abandoned or in disrepair. Population less than 10% of its boom time statistics.
Example: Gold Hill, Tooele County, Utah

Class 5A - Historic Town
Town population has decreased from boom years to 50% or less. Numerous original buildings still stand and are in overall good condition. Many structures have been or could be restored or renovated to their original condition. Modern construction is limited but present. Commerce is present although limited.
Example: Eureka, Juab County, Utah

Class 5B - Restored/Re-living Town
Population is at or near its boom time population. Town has been re-born with major commerce other than its original operations. Historic structures still present are likely restored or replicas. Modern buildings vastly outnumber historic structures/buildings. Museums, historical markers and tours highlight the boom time activities.
Example: Park City, Summit County, Utah

Types:

Agriculture/Ranching
Site history is predominately related to agriculture, ranching or related uses. Example: Grafton, Washington County, Utah

Industrial
Site history is predominately related to factory, construction or related uses.

Logging
Site history is predominately related to logging, lumber camps or saw mill uses. Example: Blacks Fork, Summit County, Utah

Military
Site history is predominately related to military, military testing or military range uses. Example: Shanty Town, Emery County, Utah

Mining/Oil
Site history is predominately related to mining, milling, drilling or related uses. Example: Silver Reef, Washington County, Utah

Railroad/Transportation
Site history is predominately related to rail road, rail road repair and maintenance or rail road construction. Example: Lucin, Box Elder County, Utah

Tourism
Site history is predominately related to agriculture, ranching or related uses. Example: Saltair, Salt Lake County, Utah

Note: These classifications & types pertain only to site reports found here on ExpeditionUtah. Classification systems vary as wildly as ghost towns themselves and while many groups use similar systems, the ExpeditionUtah system was adapted for our purposes solely. We encourage you to visit ghost towns and further more post up your experiences and reports here on ExpeditionUtah.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Kevin B.

EU Contributor
I like it, but I would swap "abandoned" and "neglected"? Not the class descriptions, just the names.

Or maybe that's just me.
 

cruiseroutfit

Moderator & Supporting Member
Supporter
Would it also make sense to have a classification type? Such as military, mining, agriculture, railroad, etc? Your thoughts?
 
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