As described by the National Geodetic Survey in 1942 (although apparently already placed in 1935 by the CGS, per the actual markings on the disk):
"IN WHARTON.
ON THE COUNTY COURT HOUSE GROUNDS, 70.0 FEET NORTH OF FACE OF COURT HOUSE, 41.0 FEET SOUTH OF THE CENTERLINE OF AN EAST-WEST STREET AND 15.5 FEET WEST OF THE CENTERLINE OF SIDEWALK LEADING TO MAIN ENTRANCE TO BUILDING. IT IS 3.0 FEET SOUTH OF CENTERLINE OF EAST-WEST SIDEWALK, 2.0 FEET NORTH OF AN 10-INCH TREE AND A STD. REFERENCE MARK DISK SET IN THE TOP OF CONCRETE POST. IT IS STAMPED WHARTON MAGNETIC NO. 1 1935."
The NGS description is pretty accurate (save for the girth of the tree, it has grown a bit since then) and should definitely assist future seekers in finding this benchmark -- alternatively, one can use the gallery images for any future attempt at actual recovery.
The NGS' original coordinates, however, were a little off (as is to be expected, it happens all the time with older benchmarks). The NGS reported it at "N 29° 18.633 W 096° 06.033" back in 1942, but in 1990 updated it to "N 29 18 39.13 W 096 06 02.66" (i.e. "N 29° 18.652 W 96° 6.044"), which is very close to my personal readings as well -- as measured within 10' accuracy and 10+ reading averages.
Below are some additional facts, per the NGS database (with some editing for length): (
visit link)
AX0383 ***********************************************************************
AX0383 DESIGNATION - WHARTON MAGNETIC RM 1
AX0383 PID - AX0383
AX0383 STATE/COUNTY- TX/WHARTON
AX0383 COUNTRY - US
AX0383 USGS QUAD - WHARTON (1980)
AX0383
AX0383 *CURRENT SURVEY CONTROL
AX0383 ______________________________________________________________________
AX0383* NAD 83(1986) POSITION- 29 18 39.13 (N) 096 06 02.66 (W) HD_HELD1
AX0383* NAVD 88 ORTHO HEIGHT - 31.86 (+/-2cm) 104.5 (feet) VERTCON
AX0383 ______________________________________________________________________
AX0383
AX0383_MARKER: DR = REFERENCE MARK DISK
AX0383_SETTING: 7 = SET IN TOP OF CONCRETE MONUMENT
AX0383_STAMPING: WHARTON MAGNETIC NO.1 1935
AX0383_STABILITY: C = MAY HOLD, BUT OF TYPE COMMONLY SUBJECT TO
AX0383+STABILITY: SURFACE MOTION
AX0383_SATELLITE: THE SITE LOCATION WAS REPORTED AS SUITABLE FOR
AX0383+SATELLITE: SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS - December 30, 2011
AX0383
AX0383 HISTORY - Date Condition Report By
AX0383 HISTORY - 1935 MONUMENTED CGS
AX0383 HISTORY - 1942 GOOD CGS
AX0383 HISTORY - 1990 GOOD USPSQD
AX0383 HISTORY - 20111230 GOOD GEOCAC