Do the four "stripes" on these poles have any particular meaning? The pole on the left is in Texas; the one on the right is in California.

Photo credit: Google Maps

Answer: If the pole on the left is along a railroad (it is - Bob) then that is the 40 pole marker. 40 poles to the mile. The pole on right, they were used as delineators or roadside markers same as yellow reflector bands are used now. Growing up those metal bands were common then reflectors took over.

Thanks, Gary, for the update.