Argleton, Lancashire: the town that doesn’t exist

From the BBC:

Argleton appears on Google Maps as a small town furnished with amenities, but it does not actually exist, apart from a field and a few trees.
Some people have described the place, nestled between Aughton and Ormskirk, as a "phantom town" that only ever appears on the online search engine.
Google said: "While [most information] is correct there are... errors."
Roy Bayfield from nearby Edge Hill University became so intrigued by the description that he decided to walk there.
He was greeted by a gate, a field and cluster of trees but no houses, businesses, pubs or even a phone box.
"It is strange," Mr Bayfield said, "especially because chiropractors, nurseries and even dating agencies are listed under Argleton.

Hmm. I wonder if it's a copyright trap (or Mountweazel). It reminds me of Agloe, New York. (Thanks, Bob!)

Places

Posted on Tue Nov 03, 2009


Comments

Maybe it's like Brigadoon, and only comes back once a century?
Posted by John Paradox  on  Tue Nov 03, 2009  at  05:24 PM
I know of several towns that no longer exist except as a farmhouse or convenience store or former church at a rural crossroads, and as a reference on a map. The business' listed as being in the town, however, I have no explanation for except perhaps as an online prank, someone creating nonexistent companies in online business directories in a no-longer existent town.
Posted by Canadarm  on  Tue Nov 03, 2009  at  06:36 PM
It could be one of the many "traps" used by different map makers to find other companies which copy their maps with out permission. See it all the time.
Posted by Robert  on  Wed Nov 04, 2009  at  01:26 PM
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.