As described by the National Geodetic Survey in 1978 (and its subsequent update in 2005):
"4.1 MI NORTH FROM WALLER.
0.35 MILE SOUTHEAST ALONG U.S. HIGHWAY 290 FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH ALLIANCE STREET IN WALLER, THENCE 0.05 MILE NORTH ALONG A PAVED ROAD, THENCE 0.05 MILE EAST ALONG MILLS ROAD, AND THENCE ABOUT 3.65 MILES NORTH ALONG FIELDS STORE ROAD. SET ON THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF FIELDS STORE ROAD AND CASTLE ROAD, 34.5 FEET EAST OF THE CENTERLINE OF FIELDS STORE ROAD, 31 FEET NORTH OF THE CENTERLINE OF CASTLE ROAD, 3.5 FEET EAST OF A POWER LINE JUNCTION POLE, 2.3 FEET EAST OF A FENCE CORNER POST, AND 1 FOOT SOUTH OF A FENCE.
(2005) RECOVERY NOTE BY GEOCACHING 2005 -- 3 FEET SOUTHEAST OF FENCE CORNER POST, 2.5 FEET SOUTH OF FENCE, 1 FOOT WEST OF METAL WITNESS POST. LAT/LON BY HANDHELD GPS(NAD83) N 30 06 34.3 W095 55 06.0"
The NGS description and its 2005 addendum's reference points (incl. distances/directions/coordinates) are 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 (including a BM close-up and setting details).
That said, please note the following corrections to the NGS narrative:
* As originally stated in 1978, it is 3.5 ft SE of a POWER LINE JUNCTION POLE... not "3 ft SE of a fence corner post" as erroneously amended in 2005.
* It is 1.5 ft S of a FENCE CORNER POST, not "fence" as described in both 1978 and 2005.
The most recently posted NGS Data Sheet's coordinates seemed to match perfectly with my own personal observations: it states "N 30 06 34.3 W 095 55 06.0", which was in line with my findings as measured with 10' accuracy and 10+ reading averages: "N 30° 06.572 W 095° 55.100".
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Below are some additional facts, per the NGS database (with some editing for length): (
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BL1853 ***********************************************************************
BL1853 DESIGNATION - N 1250
BL1853 PID - BL1853
BL1853 STATE/COUNTY- TX/HARRIS
BL1853 COUNTRY - US
BL1853 USGS QUAD - WALLER (1980)
BL1853
BL1853 *CURRENT SURVEY CONTROL
BL1853 ______________________________________________________________________
BL1853* NAD 83(1986) POSITION- 30 06 34.3 (N) 095 55 06.0 (W) HD_HELD2
BL1853* NAVD 88 ORTHO HEIGHT - 86.54 (+/-2cm) 283.9 (feet) VERTCON
BL1853 ______________________________________________________________________
BL1853
BL1853_MARKER: DB = BENCH MARK DISK
BL1853_SETTING: 49 = STAINLESS STEEL ROD W/O SLEEVE (10 FT.+)
BL1853_SP_SET: STAINLESS STEEL ROD
BL1853_STAMPING: N 1250 1978
BL1853_STABILITY: B = PROBABLY HOLD POSITION/ELEVATION WELL
BL1853_SATELLITE: THE SITE LOCATION WAS REPORTED AS SUITABLE FOR
BL1853+SATELLITE: SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS - September 12, 2005
BL1853
BL1853 HISTORY - Date Condition Report By
BL1853 HISTORY - 1978 MONUMENTED NGS
BL1853 HISTORY - 1987 GOOD USPSQD
BL1853 HISTORY - 19931106 MARK NOT FOUND USPSQD
BL1853 HISTORY - 20050108 MARK NOT FOUND USPSQD
BL1853 HISTORY - 20050912 GOOD GEOCAC