SURVEYING GLOSSARY


A as in Angle and for Azimuth too, both are important and usually true; but so is Astronomic and Adjoiner too.
B as in Backsight and Bearing, names we should all know; like Brush,Bugs and Bites - always together go.
C as in Compass and Chain, over the hill we go; Calculate the Closure, fun - to this, the party Chief says no.
D as in Deeds and Distance, hand in hand they define; apply Dignity of call - let the Draftsman refine.
E as in Engineers and Easements, important names - I guess; then came the EDM, reduced our labor - now that’s real success.
F as in Foresight and Field notes are usually used to guide; whereas Field crew & Fire ants - together they ride.
G as in Ground shots & the Gunter's chain, a term we use no more; now GPS, Geodetic and GIS - new names in our store.
H as in Hammer and stake, together, they’ll always be; as necessary to a surveyor - as leaves to a tree.
I as in Instruments, important they are; they aid us in alignment and - guide by a star.
J as in the Jacob staff, more equipment from old; Judicial decisions, guide us now - at least that’s what we’re told.
K as in Keuffel & Esser, supplier in the past; another distance, the Kilometer - will we ever last?
L as in Links of old and Laser Levels new; Lietz then changed their name - but Lawyers still sue.
M as in Metes & bounds, will this term remain? The terms Machete and Measure - are always the same.
N as in Numeric, which means a Number, at least that part is true; even as a Meter - the units not new.
O as in “OUT”, a term uncommon now; Owners will forever attempt - to tell us how.
P as in Polaris and Plumb, terms which still remain; Pole & Perch, though unused - are always the same.
Q as in a Quit claim deed, it doesn’t give very much; but, it’s presence will sometimes “QUITE” a title - or at least help with such.
R as in Route & Right-of-way define, Residue & Riparian each, do much the same; a Rod, a Rock & Rodman too - now, just a name.
S as in Semicircumferter and the Sextant too, instruments of old; there is Satellite & Sun Shot, newer terms - at least that’s what we’re told.
T as in Transit, Theodolite & Tripod, more equipment from the past; Topography and Ticks, together, stick - like partners that last.
U as in Underground Utilities, a surveyor must sometimes find; even when you cannot see them - they should be on your mind.
V as in the Spanish Vara, defined as a Texas length; Vegetation, on the other hand - is measured by it’s strength.
W as in Warranty deed, a common legal name; a paper showing ownership - or title to the same.
X as in “X” out, mistakes made in your notes, never to erase; they may come back to haunt you, protection - just in case.
Y as for “Yes”, the answer, to questions you receive; “no”, is the best response - when you cannot believe.
Z as in Zeiss, equipment maker of old, Zenith is the angle in a vertical line; and is usually preceded - by a plus or minus sign.

                                                                                                                                          Johnny Ingram, 2002



​​​​​​List of Subjects

​​​Rhyme  of  the  Day

Titles listed below are examples of subjects which have been prepared by museum curator Johnny Ingram. For a more complete list of this information contact the museum or request details during your visit.


Mr. Ingram has authored a substantial number of poems. The subject matter, cover a number of subjects and provide a sample of his view of the events. The list below, is a sample of this variety; they represent phases of life such  as Youth, Middle Age  and Senior reality. Included in the list are subjects which address the Land Surveying Profession, Living History, Family, Friends and other subjects.


Selected subjects will be periodically featured on this page. Below is a partial list of subjects we intend to share. Return to the web site and check the "Rhyme Of The Day", subject names are below.   


 Posted February 2, 2022

THE MUSEUM OF

MEASUREMENT AND TIME

WORDS  OF  RHYME

BY  JOHNNY  INGRAM

​​​​​​​​​​​​Museum Of Measurement And Time

We now call Jefferson Texas our home.

Since 1980,  we've no reason to roam.


As personal collections continued to grow:

more space was needed,  this we know.


So to a building on Polk Street, we went;

to house the collections and what they meant.


We feature items, from long ago;

and tell stories,   of what we know.


Should your travels,  bring you near;

you need to visit,  since your here.


Time spent with us,  bring memories which last.

We feature displays,  from times long past.


A visit will fill a void and you may learn;

the stories you hear,  is of our concern.


So when you have,  a few minutes to spare;

plan a visit,  just make sure we're there!

                                               

                                                    Johnny Ingram, April 2019

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YOUTHFUL  ENTHUSIASM              MIDDLE AGE HOPE           SENIOR  REALITY     Girls and Cars                                                       Hugs                                              Reflections   Choices                                                                   Lets Talk                                      Retirement

 Friends                                                                   Tax Process                                            Conversation

 A Scale of Ten                                                       Jury Service                                 When Life is over 

 Fast Cars and Time                                             Some                                                                                 Driving                                                                                                                           Fifty

                                                                                                                     Marriage                                       Needs of Life 

                                                                                  Companions                                Life is not a Race            

                                                                                                                                         


             

   LIVING HISTORY                            RELATIONSHIPS                        WORK RELATED

 

 Small Town USA                                             Grandparents                                     Work 

Collections                                                       Kinfolk                                        Surveying Glossary

Museums                                                          Love                                       Surveyors of  Early Texas

Dueling Trains                                                 Man & Woman                       Texas - U.S. Boundary  

Your Therapist                                                Marriage                           SHS (Surveyors Historical  Society)

Mind and Exercise                                         Two Peas in a Pod          TSPS (Texas Society of Professional Surveyors)

Thanks for Your Service                Yourself                         TGLO (Texas General Land   Office) 

 Should You Find a Coin                                 Roots                                         JHS (Jefferson Historical Seminar) 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Men on Rushmore

                                                                             



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