The ratings presented here are partially based on subjective factors like my overall impression of the place or a mood I get while being there. As subjectiveness is...well, subjective...these ratings may not necessarily reflect accurate, objective fact. For example, a ghost town with only one building, half-standing, may be ranked higher than another with several complete buildings in place because the first one had cool mountains in the background, or the sun was setting when I saw it, or something exciting happened there that didn't happen in the other place. But to avoid being too vague, here is a short list of factors I considered in making these ratings:

• the number of structures left and the state of those structures
• the town's history
• the town's location
• the environment around the town

Because I realize that my ratings are really only a reflection of my own personal biases, I've tried to include enough information in the description of each town to give an idea of what is left and the current state of the site.  That way, if your preferences run toward one well-restored house over several broken-down older ones, you can decide for yourself which places to see and how they rate.