Instead of towns that disappeared, today we look at towns that never existed. Through my research I’ve found four categories of these so-called Paper TownsA town planned out on paper that never really took off.A town that was never meant to exist, but was advertised simply as a scam for investors.An area incorporated for political reasons, such as a town on the edge of a larger town incorporated to prevent annexation into the larger town.  The town provides no services, but exists on paper only.A copyright trap.  Links to more information:KingsberryFind-a-GraveKingsberry article by Louise PettusLandsford Canal Lock Keeper's House - Library of CongressPaper Town Copyright TrapsPhantom SettlementsWhat Is a Paper Town?