That distribution ring pole is pretty high! It had take-offs for wires in a 360-degree manner to customers (electric or telephone). This concept was compacted upon a simple pole top so that these loops could be neatly strung from its "circle"...which had lots of insulator pins upon it! Combined (paired) cable often led up the side of such poles in conduit to a wooden junction box (as seen) that made for the lines that spread from the top of the structure.

Has Lou got one of these monstrosities on display in his front yard yet? ;-)