Townephemera? The hamlet of Argleton, UK apparently exists only on Google Maps. The Telegraph reports that Roy Bayfield actually went there to check:
"A colleague of mine spotted the anomaly on Google Maps, and I thought 'I've got to go there'," he said.
"I started to weave this amazing fantasy about the place, an alternative universe, a Narnia-like world. I was really fascinated by the appearance of a non-existent place that the internet had the power to make real and give a semi-existence."
When Mr Bayfield reached Argleton - which appears on Google Maps between Aughton and Aughton Park - he found just acres of green, empty fields.(source)
Bummer. I could have done with a lamp-post or a wardrobe. . . I like the hypothesis that the error was planted by Google itself, as a way of catching illicit reusers of their data.
Thanks to Jake for this one!
Comments
Obviously, many errors will happen in any project as big as a finely detailed map of the entire planet. What's curious about this one is how it got a name. I think the trap street theory makes the most sense. I've seen those before in local street maps.
If the owners of that field are on the ball, they'll organize some kind of Argleton festival.
Posted by: John McKay | November 6, 2009 11:51 PM
I hate to say it, but perhaps we can't see the town because we're Muggles.
Posted by: Rick Vosper | November 7, 2009 9:05 PM