A marker that denoted distance from one end of a subdivision, district or branch. They were typically one mile apart. Intermediate marks would be placed at 1/4 or 1/10 mile increments, or the telegraph poles would be used as intermediate marks. Telegraph poles varied from 20-30 poles per mile. The 10th pole from a milepost would typically have a single band/mark on it, the 20th pole two bands/marks and the 30th three bands/marks to make it easier for crews to count them.