what does 1/2 in an address mean...

for example a fictitious address like:
1000 1/2 xyz ave, 
<somecity>,<somestate>
<somezip>

here 1000 would be the building number, xyz ave would be the
street....but can't make sense of the 1/2 ...(if you wanna search
directions in google for example it doesnt work with the '1/2')

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 01 Sep 2006 07:56 PDT

The addition of 1/2 to an address is known, in Post Office jargon, as
a fractional address...something they are actively discouraging, since
it plays havoc with machine-reading systems.

Fractional addresses were used back in the day in dwellings that were
made into a separate living space -- for instance, a house that made
its upstairs bedroom into  separate living quarters, or a carriage
house converted to tenant space.

You can read a bit about it here:


http://www.nvcc.edu/home/jgolding/Documents/Web%20Power%20points/ADDRESS%20STD.pps
USPS Postal Addressing Standards

...Fractional addresses are usually found in old downtown areas of
cities.  Example is a second entrance on a building front or side for
a separate second floor location not connected to the first floor
location...


Does that information meet your needs?


pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by kkeerrttee-ga on 01 Sep 2006 21:49 PDT

Thank you, that clears things up.

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Clarification of Question by kkeerrttee-ga on 01 Sep 2006 21:53 PDT

so to find the driving directions or location of an address on the
internet, I can omit the fractional part, right? (because the
fractional part shouldn't change which 'building structure' the
address refers too)

Thanks...I'm glad the information provided met your needs.  
And yes, you can drop the fraction as far as finding directions goes.

Let me know if there's anything more I can do for you on the mysteries
of the fractional address.


pafalafa-ga


search strategy -- Google search on [ "1/2 * st" address ]

In my city, an address with 1/2 is usually a garage apartment or other
secondary, separate dwelling on a property.

If you are asking about a specific address, post it, and I am pretty
sure we could explain.  Pinkfreud's explanation is probably also
appropriate for other places.