BM0252 - "G 311" bench mark disk - Giddings, TX
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Raven
N 30° 10.891 W 096° 56.231
14R E 698612 N 3340697
This NGS benchmark is one of two located by the northwest entrance of the Lee County Courthouse (200 S. Main St) in Giddings, Texas. The courthouse's clock tower is an NGS Benchmark as well.
Waymark Code: WMNTDQ
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 04/30/2015
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Ernmark
Views: 4

As described by the CGS back in 1938 (although already monumented 3 years earlier, in 1935):

"IN GIDDINGS.
AT GIDDINGS, LEE COUNTY, AT THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, IN THE TOP STEP OF THE NORTH ENTRANCE, 3 FEET EAST OF THE CENTER OF THE ENTRANCE, AND 3 FEET ABOVE GROUND. A STANDARD DISK, STAMPED G 311 1935."

The 1938 description and associated reference points (i.e. distances/directions) are still good references for locating this station, however one clarification might be in order:
* There are actually TWO "north" entrances to the courthouse ("northeast" and "northwest"), and as such the "NORTH ENTRANCE" reference may be a little misleading. The station in question is at the NORTHWEST entrance.

The station's associated NGS Data Sheet's posted coordinates are pretty much in line with my own observations: the NGS reports the station at "N 30 10 53.4 W 096 56 13.8" which was quite close to my own readings -- as measured within 15' accuracy and 20+ reading averages: "N 30° 10.891 W 96° 56.231".

The station was recovered in good condition; see posted waymark's gallery images for BM close-up and setting details, which have apparently been posted on the NGS website as well.

---

Below are some additional facts, per the NGS database (with some editing for length): (visit link)

BM0252 ***********************************************************************
BM0252 DESIGNATION - G 311
BM0252 PID - BM0252
BM0252 STATE/COUNTY- TX/LEE
BM0252 COUNTRY - US
BM0252 USGS QUAD - GIDDINGS (1988)
BM0252
BM0252 *CURRENT SURVEY CONTROL
BM0252 ______________________________________________________________________
BM0252* NAD 83(1986) POSITION- 30 10 53.4 (N) 096 56 13.8 (W) HD_HELD2
BM0252* NAVD 88 ORTHO HEIGHT - 156.51 (+/-2cm) 513.5 (feet) VERTCON
BM0252 ______________________________________________________________________
BM0252
BM0252_MARKER: DB = BENCH MARK DISK
BM0252_SETTING: 30 = SET IN A LIGHT STRUCTURE
BM0252_SP_SET: STEP
BM0252_STAMPING: G 311 1935
BM0252_MARK LOGO: CGS
BM0252_STABILITY: D = MARK OF QUESTIONABLE OR UNKNOWN STABILITY
BM0252_SATELLITE: THE SITE LOCATION WAS REPORTED AS SUITABLE FOR
BM0252+SATELLITE: SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS - August 26, 2010
BM0252
BM0252 HISTORY - Date Condition Report By
BM0252 HISTORY - 1935 MONUMENTED CGS
BM0252 HISTORY - 1938 GOOD CGS
BM0252 HISTORY - 1987 GOOD USPSQD
BM0252 HISTORY - 1991 GOOD USPSQD
BM0252 HISTORY - 20060130 GOOD USPSQD
BM0252 HISTORY - 20100826 GOOD GEOCAC
Condition: Mark found in good condition

Designation: G 311

Benchmark Agency: U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey

Monumentation type: BENCH MARK (or B.M.) Disk

County: Giddings (Lee County)

USGS 7.5' Topographic Quadrangle Name (optional): Giddings

Find type: Coordinates and/or to-reach information from the NGS database (or Geocaching's copy of it) were used

Web address of this benchmark's datasheet (optional): [Web Link]

NGS PID: BM0252

Benchmark Agency (if other): Not listed

Monumentation type (if other): Not listed

Special category (optional): Not listed

Special Category (if other): Not listed

Local database's URL (optional): Not listed

Visit Instructions:
  1. A closeup photo of the mark taken by you is required.
  2. A 'distant' photo including the mark in the view is highly recommended. Include the compass direction you faced when you took the picture.
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Recent Visits/Logs:
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Raven visited BM0252 - "G 311" bench mark disk - Giddings, TX 11/01/2013 Raven visited it
Benchmark Blasterz visited BM0252 - "G 311" bench mark disk - Giddings, TX 08/26/2010 Benchmark Blasterz visited it

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