As described by the National Geodetic Survey in 1973 (although already monumented by the CGS back in 1959):
"0.3 MI E FROM KATY.
ABOUT 0.3 MILE EAST ALONG THE MISSOURI-KANSAS-TEXAS RAILROAD FROM THE STATION AT KATY, ABOUT 5.2 FEET SOUTHWEST OF THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE AMERICAN RICE GROWERS CO-OP ASSOCIATION OFFICE BUILDING, 167.6 FEET NORTH OF THE NORTH RAIL OF THE MAIN TRACK, 13.5 FEET EAST OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE ENTRANCE TO THE BUILDING, 3.6 FEET SOUTH OF THE SOUTH FACE OF THE BUILDING, AND IS A DISK SET ON THE TOP OF A 5/8-INCH COPPER COATED STEEL ROD AND PROTECTED BY A 6-INCH TILE WHICH PROJECTS 0.2 FOOT BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE GROUND. THE ROD WAS DRIVEN TO A DEPTH OF 40 FEET."
The 1973 NGS description provides a good general reference, but requires significant updates (as noted below) -- alternatively, one can use the gallery images for any future attempt at actual recovery. Updates include:
* The "American Rice Growers Co-Op Association" office building is still there (and therefore any NGS references such as "5.2 ft SW of the SE corner of the building, etc etc" is still valid), but the Co-Op no longer exists... The building is now an office for the "No Label" Brewing company.
* The disk is no longer protected by a 6" tile... It is now level with the ground, and may at times be completely covered over with lawn grass (as was the case when I recovered it).
Furthermore, the NGS recorded coordinates are a little off, at least at the time of this waymark's posting. Its associated NGS Data Sheet reports it as "N 29° 47 11 W 095° 48 55" (i.e. "N 29° 47.183 W 95° 48.917"), which points to a location ~90ft SSE of the actual BM, on the office's dirt road entryway. The actual coordinates -- as measured within 15' accuracy -- are "N 29° 47.191 W 095° 48.926".
Below are some additional facts, per the NGS database (with some editing for length): (
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AW0135 ***********************************************************************
AW0135 DESIGNATION - Y 1148
AW0135 PID - AW0135
AW0135 STATE/COUNTY- TX/HARRIS
AW0135 COUNTRY - US
AW0135 USGS QUAD - KATY (1980)
AW0135
AW0135 *CURRENT SURVEY CONTROL
AW0135 ______________________________________________________________________
AW0135* NAD 83(1986) POSITION- 29 47 11. (N) 095 48 55. (W) SCALED
AW0135* NAVD 88 ORTHO HEIGHT - 43.111 (meters) 141.44 (feet) ADJUSTED
AW0135
AW0135_MARKER: DB = BENCH MARK DISK
AW0135_SETTING: 46 = COPPER-CLAD STEEL ROD W/O SLEEVE (10 FT.+)
AW0135_SP_SET: COPPER-CLAD STEEL ROD
AW0135_STAMPING: Y 1148 1959
AW0135_MARK LOGO: CGS
AW0135_STABILITY: B = PROBABLY HOLD POSITION/ELEVATION WELL
AW0135_SATELLITE: THE SITE LOCATION WAS REPORTED AS SUITABLE FOR
AW0135+SATELLITE: SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS - October 13, 2004
AW0135
AW0135 HISTORY - Date Condition Report By
AW0135 HISTORY - 1959 MONUMENTED CGS
AW0135 HISTORY - 1973 GOOD NGS
AW0135 HISTORY - 1976 GOOD NGS
AW0135 HISTORY - 1976 GOOD NGS
AW0135 HISTORY - 1978 GOOD NGS
AW0135 HISTORY - 1986 GOOD NGS
AW0135 HISTORY - 1987 GOOD USPSQD
AW0135 HISTORY - 1990 GOOD USPSQD
AW0135 HISTORY - 19940625 GOOD USPSQD
AW0135 HISTORY - 20041013 GOOD USPSQD