-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        RE: map scale question...ps
Date:   Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:27:30 -0500
From:   Grabach, Kenneth A. Mr. <[log in to unmask]>
To:     Maps, Air Photo & GIS Forum <[log in to unmask]>
References:     <[log in to unmask]>



This designation appears on 19th century maps, as well as 18th.  It was a surveyor's measurement, along with the chain and furlong.  They were used and appear on maps into the early 20th century.  I can recall in the early 1960s learning of this unit (I learned it as a rod) in mathematics class, along with other more common units of length.  The pole = 5.5 yards. Four poles = 1 chain (of 100 links).  10 chains = 1 furlong, and 8 furlongs = 1 mile.  Therefore, 320 poles = 1760 yards = 1 mile.  They can appear on older land records, as well as survey maps.

Since the map in question is a surveyor's blueprint, it would not be surprising for pole to be used as the unit of measure.

Ken Grabach                           <[log in to unmask]>
Maps Librarian                          Phone: 513-529-1726
Miami University Libraries
Oxford, Ohio  45056  USA

-----Original Message-----
From: Maps, Air Photo & GIS Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Angie Cope
Sent: Thursday, December 17, 2009 9:55 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: map scale question...ps

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Re: map scale question...ps
Date:   Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:50:33 -0500
From:   Edward James Redmond <[log in to unmask]>
To:     Air Photo & GIS Forum Maps <[log in to unmask]>
References:     <[log in to unmask]>



I have seen instances of "ps" refering to "poles" (16 feet) on 18th century land surveys - not 20th.

Ed



>>> Angie Cope <[log in to unmask]> Thursday, December 17, 2009 9:39 AM >>>
-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        map scale question...ps
Date:   Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:39:24 -0500
From:   Joel Kovarsky <[log in to unmask]>
To:     Maps, Air Photo & Geospatial Systems Forum <[log in to unmask]>



I recently saw an early 20th century land survey blueprint with a scale
listed as 1 inch = 200 ps. I am unclear about the "ps," since it could
be "photo scale," yet no conversion details were given. I was wondering
about "paces," but could not find another example. Various attempts at
disambiguation online have not yet yielded any other results. Thanks for
any information you can provide.

               Joel Kovarsky