Looking through the history of that file, looks like it was originally added here: [1d32bdd3](https://github.com/django/django/commit/1d32bdd3c9586ff10d0799264105850fa7e3f512#diff-a2d7e91d1208bc1ba331579d92e94451), and then migrated along with the `staticfiles_tests` directory here: [89f40e36](https://github.com/django/django/commit/89f40e36246100df6a11316c31a76712ebc6c501#diff-722433a2a0d32024628a93cdaa5d74c3).

I can't speak for why the file was added in the first place, but I suspect it was a way of keeping the `site-media/static` directory alive for git. When I remove that directory, the (entire) test suite passes for both the original tests and for the tests after my changes, so I don't think it's necessary.

Maybe this file is more important than I think. Perhaps have another pair of eyes take a look at this? I can commit a delete on that file and directory if everything checks out. Otherwise, I can revert the behavior back, and that would keep this file alive.