A self-supporting story pole eliminates the need to build leads with a level and improves on current systems by using a self-supporting base that only needs to be anchored at one point, rather than two, and can preset the block height and plumb of the wall by using the mounting base system. Mounting hardware that slides on the pole is used for string alignment and also for eliminating flex in the pole by means of a follower guide. The system of the present invention is fast to set up and is designed to be away from the corner for the purpose of tooling the joints.