Per the NGS' description 1977 (although originally monumented by the CGS in 1942):
"
16.95 MI NW FROM FORT DAVIS. ABOUT 15.05 MILES NORTHWEST ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 118 FROM THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE AT FORT DAVIS, THENCE 1.90 MILES SOUTHEAST ALONG SPUR 78, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH 118, AT THE 82 INCH TELESCOPE AREA AT MCDONALDS OBSERVATORY, 65 FT. SOUTHWEST OF THE FRONT ENTRANCE TO THE 82 INCH TELESCOPE, 39 FT.NORTH OF THE STATION MARK."
The NGS' 1977 description of the station's setting and associated "distance/direction" reference points are relatively still good references for locating this station... especially its reference to the triangulation station (which is located 39ft South of here: if you find one, you'll find the other). More importantly (and more appropriately, given this day and age), the station's latest associated NGS Data Sheet's posted coordinates were in line with my own observations -- as measured within 15' accuracy due to overhead cover.
The station was recovered in very good condition; see posted waymark's gallery images for BM close-up and setting details.
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Below are some additional facts, per the NGS database (with some editing for length): (
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BQ0297 ***********************************************************************
BQ0297 DESIGNATION - MCDONALD RM 2
BQ0297 PID - BQ0297
BQ0297 STATE/COUNTY- TX/JEFF DAVIS
BQ0297 COUNTRY - US
BQ0297 USGS QUAD - MOUNT LOCKE (1978)
BQ0297
BQ0297 *CURRENT SURVEY CONTROL
BQ0297 ______________________________________________________________________
BQ0297* NAD 83(1993) POSITION- 30 40 16.98453(N) 104 01 22.72486(W) ADJUSTED
BQ0297* NAVD 88 ORTHO HEIGHT - 2066.620 (meters) 6780.24 (feet) ADJUSTED
BQ0297 ______________________________________________________________________
BQ0297
BQ0297_MARKER: DR = REFERENCE MARK DISK
BQ0297_SETTING: 66 = SET IN ROCK OUTCROP
BQ0297_STAMPING: MCDONALD NO. 2 1942
BQ0297_MARK LOGO: CGS
BQ0297_STABILITY: A = MOST RELIABLE AND EXPECTED TO HOLD
BQ0297+STABILITY: POSITION/ELEVATION WELL
BQ0297_SATELLITE: THE SITE LOCATION WAS REPORTED AS SUITABLE FOR
BQ0297+SATELLITE: SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS - August 19, 2010
BQ0297
BQ0297 HISTORY - Date Condition Report By
BQ0297 HISTORY - 1942 MONUMENTED CGS
BQ0297 HISTORY - 1977 GOOD NGS
BQ0297 HISTORY - 1980 GOOD NGS
BQ0297 HISTORY - 1988 GOOD USPSQD
BQ0297 HISTORY - 1989 GOOD USPSQD
BQ0297 HISTORY - 19961007 GOOD USPSQD
BQ0297 HISTORY - 20030322 GOOD USPSQD
BQ0297 HISTORY - 20100806 GOOD GEOCAC
BQ0297 HISTORY - 20100819 GOOD GEOCAC