As described by the CGS back in 1935:
"IN GIDDINGS.
AT GIDDINGS, LEE COUNTY, AT THE NORTH ENTRANCE TO THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, AND ON THE TOP OF THE WEST END OF THE THIRD STEP. AN OUTLINED CHISELED SQUARE."
The 1935 description and associated reference points (i.e. directions / number of "steps") 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, 3rd step of the granite staircase, western end of the 5ft-wide step.
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° 56.232".
The station was recovered in "decent" condition: the chiseled square's etching is probably not as pronounced as is was when originally created, but still visible if one knows what to look for. See posted waymark's gallery images for BM close-up and setting details; some additional pictures are available on the
NGS website as well.
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Below are some additional facts, per the NGS database (with some editing for length): (
visit link)
BM0241 ***********************************************************************
BM0241 DESIGNATION - CHISELED SQUARE
BM0241 PID - BM0241
BM0241 STATE/COUNTY- TX/LEE
BM0241 COUNTRY - US
BM0241 USGS QUAD - GIDDINGS (1988)
BM0241
BM0241 *CURRENT SURVEY CONTROL
BM0241 ______________________________________________________________________
BM0241* NAD 83(1986) POSITION- 30 10 53.4 (N) 096 56 13.8 (W) HD_HELD2
BM0241* NAVD 88 ORTHO HEIGHT - 156.33 (+/-2cm) 512.9 (feet) VERTCON
BM0241 ______________________________________________________________________
BM0241
BM0241_MARKER: Q = CHISELED SQUARE
BM0241_SETTING: 30 = SET IN A LIGHT STRUCTURE
BM0241_SP_SET: STEP
BM0241_STABILITY: D = MARK OF QUESTIONABLE OR UNKNOWN STABILITY
BM0241_SATELLITE: THE SITE LOCATION WAS REPORTED AS SUITABLE FOR
BM0241+SATELLITE: SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS - August 26, 2010
BM0241
BM0241 HISTORY - Date Condition Report By
BM0241 HISTORY - UNK MONUMENTED CGS
BM0241 HISTORY - 1935 GOOD CGS
BM0241 HISTORY - 20100826 GOOD GEOCAC