As described by the National Geodetic Survey in 1978 (with a follow-up addendum in 1986):
"1.1 MI WEST FROM KATY.
1.1 MILES WEST ALONG THE MISSOURI-KANSAS-TEXAS RAILROAD FROM THE STATION AT KATY, IN THE TOP EAST END OF NORTH HEADWALL FOR A DOUBLE BOX CULVERT UNDER HIGHWAY, 75 FEET SOUTH OF SOUTH RAIL, 21 FEET NORTH OF CENTERLINE OF HIGHWAY 90, 1 FOOT WEST OF THE EAST END OF NORTH HEADWALL, AND 327 FEET WEST OF ROAD CROSSING TO SUB STATION.
[...] 1.8 KM (1.1 MI) WEST ALONG US HIGHWAY 90 FROM THE JUNCTION OF PIN OAK ROAD SOUTH IN KATY."
The NGS description is pretty accurate and should definitely assist future seekers in finding this benchmark -- alternatively, one can use the gallery images for any future attempt at actual recovery. Just ignore all the comments/references to the railroad, they are no longer needed nowadays: from Katy, just get on US Hwy 90 heading West (towards Brookshire) and park by the road 1 mi after crossing Avenue "D" (it will be by a small ditch/creek). The BM has been spray painted with pink markings around the area, it won't be too hard to miss.
The NGS' recorded coordinates, however, were a little off (as is to be expected, it happens all the time with older benchmarks). The NGS reported it at "N 29° 47.133 W 095° 50.367" back in 1974, which points to some location ~160 ft SE away (on the other side of the highway). Likewise, the most recent associated NGS Data Sheet reports it as "N 29° 47 09 W 095 50 23" (i.e. "N 29° 47.150 W 095° 50.383") as of 1986, which is still a good ~30 ft off and on the wrong side of the highway. The actual coords -- as measured within 10' accuracy and 10+ reading averages -- are "N 29° 47.155 W 095° 50.385".
Last but not least, please note that the NGS reports this benchmark as a "Bench Mark Disk", when it is actually a "Vertical Control Mark" (as marked on the actual disk).
Below are some additional facts, per the NGS database (with some editing for length): (
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AW0132 ***********************************************************************
AW0132 DESIGNATION - A 1247
AW0132 PID - AW0132
AW0132 STATE/COUNTY- TX/WALLER
AW0132 COUNTRY - US
AW0132 USGS QUAD - KATY (1980)
AW0132
AW0132 *CURRENT SURVEY CONTROL
AW0132 ______________________________________________________________________
AW0132* NAD 83(1986) POSITION- 29 47 09. (N) 095 50 23. (W) SCALED
AW0132* NAVD 88 ORTHO HEIGHT - 43.162 (meters) 141.61 (feet) ADJUSTED
AW0132
AW0132_MARKER: DB = BENCH MARK DISK
AW0132_SETTING: 32 = SET IN A RETAINING WALL OR CONCRETE LEDGE
AW0132_SP_SET: CULVERT HEADWALL
AW0132_STAMPING: A 1247 1978
AW0132_MARK LOGO: NGS
AW0132_STABILITY: C = MAY HOLD, BUT OF TYPE COMMONLY SUBJECT TO
AW0132+STABILITY: SURFACE MOTION
AW0132_SATELLITE: THE SITE LOCATION WAS REPORTED AS SUITABLE FOR
AW0132+SATELLITE: SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS - January 30, 2014
AW0132
AW0132 HISTORY - Date Condition Report By
AW0132 HISTORY - 1978 MONUMENTED NGS
AW0132 HISTORY - 1986 GOOD NGS
AW0132 HISTORY - 1990 GOOD USPSQD
AW0132 HISTORY - 20020525 GOOD USPSQD
AW0132 HISTORY - 20041013 GOOD USPSQD
AW0132 HISTORY - 20140130 GOOD INDIV