townsite

A townsite is a plot of land designated for the establishment of a town. Historically, these sites were often chosen for their strategic location, such as near a river for transportation and water, or at a crossroads of trade routes. The development of a townsite typically involved surveying the land and laying out streets, lots for residences, and areas for commercial and public buildings. The process could be planned by governments, land companies, or by individuals who acquired large tracts of land.

In many instances, townsite development was closely tied to the expansion of infrastructure like railways or canals. The arrival of a railway, for example, could spur the rapid growth of a previously undeveloped townsite, as it provided access to markets and attracted businesses and residents. In some cases, townsite acts or legislation were enacted to formalize the process of claiming and developing land for town purposes, particularly in frontier regions or during periods of rapid settlement.

The term "townsite" can also refer to the physical remnants of a former town that has been abandoned or no longer exists as a functioning community. These ghost towns are often studied by archaeologists and historians to understand past settlement patterns and ways of life. The concept of a townsite is fundamental to understanding urban development and the historical geography of human settlement.