H4478.620D

Transit and tripod, including case and surveyor's measuring pole. A: transit B: metal tube C: wood box for transit D: tripod E: stadia rod tD: Tripod: made of brass round fittings for the transit, with wood legs that are hinged to the round section. From the History Information Station: Object: Surveyor's transit. Brass, with wooden tripod. Transit stamped "Hugo Harttmann, Maker, Philadelphia", and box also marked: "W. Schmolz, S.F." History: As the surface gold found in rivers ran out, miners turned to more sophisticated methods of following leads. Digging deep shafts to follow quartz veins required a knowledge of geology and mapping. This rod was used by surveyors in conjunction with a transit like this one on the tripod at left. When held upright the numbers could be viewed from a distance through the transit.

Used: Nevada City | Surveying | Mining