As described by the CGS back in 1935:
"THIS STATION IS THE CENTER OF THE CLOCK TOWER OF THE LEE COUNTY COURTHOUSE.
THE COURTHOUSE IS BUILT OF RED BRICK WITH A WHITE BORDER. THE TOWER IS SQUARE WITH THREE ARCHED WINDOWS AND A CLOCK FACE IN EACH SIDE. THERE IS A FLAGPOLE WITH LIGHT ON TOP PROJECTING FROM THE CENTER OF THE TOWER. THE COURTHOUSE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A SQUARE, LOCATED 1 BLOCK S OF THE MAIN STREET (TEXAS ROUTE 20). IT WAS ERECTED IN 1898 AND IS VERY PROMINENT.
THERE IS A U.S.C. AND G. SURVEY BENCH MARK G-311, 1935, SET IN THE TOP STEP AT THE NW ENTRANCE TO THE COURTHOUSE."
While the clock tower is interesting to behold unto itself, two more NGS benchmarks can be found at the courthouse's northwest entrance:
(1) A regular benchmark disk:
BM0252 ("G 311")
(2) A chiseled square on the granite staircase:
BM0241 ("CHISELED SQUARE")
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Below are some additional facts on the NGS "tower" benchmark in question, per the NGS database (with some editing for length): (
visit link)
BM1033 ***********************************************************************
BM1033 DESIGNATION - GIDDINGS LEE COUNTY COURTHOUSE
BM1033 PID - BM1033
BM1033 STATE/COUNTY- TX/LEE
BM1033 COUNTRY - US
BM1033 USGS QUAD - GIDDINGS (1988)
BM1033
BM1033 *CURRENT SURVEY CONTROL
BM1033 ______________________________________________________________________
BM1033* NAD 83(1993) POSITION- 30 10 53.09537(N) 096 56 13.57270(W) ADJUSTED
BM1033* NAVD 88 ORTHO HEIGHT - **(meters) **(feet)
BM1033 ______________________________________________________________________
BM1033_MARKER: 55 = TOWER
BM1033_SATELLITE: THE SITE LOCATION WAS REPORTED AS SUITABLE FOR
BM1033+SATELLITE: SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS - August 26, 2010
BM1033
BM1033 HISTORY - Date Condition Report By
BM1033 HISTORY - 1935 FIRST OBSERVED CGS
BM1033 HISTORY - 1943 GOOD CGS
BM1033 HISTORY - 20100826 GOOD GEOCAC