Methodology For Finding Phantom Communities

So, how did I find the 58 likely Phantoms as described in the Splash/Info Page? I investigated several different parameters to "weed" Phantoms out from all the data sources (see Future Study below). Things became complicated. In the end, the methodology I used was to determine if, within a quarter mile radius of their lat/long point locations, any of the possible Phantoms (as accessed from the GNIS) existed on land that was NOT residential. This was a proxy for areas where there is no remaining residential population and therefore no existant community. Here's how I did it using ArcGIS Pro:

  • Two layers were used as a starting point
    • A point layer of unclassified, unincorporated communities with lat/lon as on record with the GNIS
    • The Wisconsin Statewide Parcel Map as available through the WI State Cartographer's Office
  • A 0.25 mile buffer was created around the GNIS-provided lat/lon for possible Phantom
  • Parcels were selected that were 1) in whole or in part, classified as residential (i.e. could have been residential, residential and commercial, residential and agricultural, etc.); and 2) had an assessed value of improvements >$800
  • The intersection of the selected parcels and the buffer was determined
  • A spatial join was made with the buffered points and the resultant layer from the intersection. The spatial join creates a Join Count which reflects the number of parcels within the buffer that have a residential classification. Therefore, those records with a Join Count of zero have no residentially classified parcels and are likely to be Phantoms
  • Upon visual inspection of the satellite imagery of the 58 results, this method appeared to be quite accurate.

    • Future Study:
    - Ground truth, satellite imagery, street-view (lower hanging fruit)
    - Remove those unincs that are close (how close??) to more urban areas
    - Churches
    - Cemeteries
    - Fire Stations
    - What proportion of area of residential parcel compared to the area of the buffer?

    Created by Michael Hasinoff for Geography 778: Practicum in GIS Development, UW-Madison, Fall 2022

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