Monuments such as this were established in north-south pairs in many North Carolina counties between 1898 and 1906. Local surveyors were required to visit the site once per year and take compass readings. Deviation was recorded in a special book at the office of the Register of Deeds, at a fee of $5.00.
From a specifications chart, we know that each stone weighs approximately 400 pounds. Only the the top portion is "dressed". The top is 8 inches square and is inscribed "NCGS+USGS 1900". The center of the chisled cross is the precise survey point.
Over time, the construction of buildings and roads rendered many magnetic stations useless, and such was the case in Morganton. By 1915, it was reported that "owing to the proximity of the county jail, a new station was established about one mile to the southwest, in the southeastern part of the grounds of the North Carolina School for the Deaf." The new station was first used for magnetic readings by observer W.M. Hill on May 8, 1916. Hill. (Biennial Report of The State Geologist, 1915-1916, Page 159.)
The Waymark's coordinates are for the North Meridian stone and were obtained using my Garmin GPS receiver, averaged over a 5-minute period. The description written by NGS is:
ALONG GREEN STREET, 58 1/2 FEET NORTHEAST OF THE EAST CORNER OF THE NORTHEAST PORTICO OF THE BURKE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 18 1/2 FEET SOUTHWEST OF SOUTHWEST CURB OF SOUTH GREEN STREET, AND 2 FEET SOUTHWEST OF THE UPPERMOST OF NINE CONCRETE STEPS.
The South Meridian is about 200 feet away, at N35 44.716 W081 41.228. It projects 10 inches above the lawn, and is inscribed exactly like the north stone. The description (which was written by geocaching.com and is now part of the official data sheet) reads:
29.3 FEET WEST OF THE NORTH CORNER OF A ONE-STORY BRICK BUILDING AT 131 STERLING STREET, 44 FEET NORTHEAST OF THE STONE RETAINING WALL BESIDE THE SIDEWALK ALONG STERLING STREET, AND 60 FEET SOUTHWEST OF THE SOUTH EDGE OF A CEMENT SIDEWALK ORIGINATING ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE COURT HOUSE.
Today, more than a century after they were set, it is becoming increasingly rare to find both stones in a Meridian station, especially at a court house. Far too often, one (or both) stones have been lost to the construction of buildings or roads. But since these stones have survived intact, step back in time and take a moment to check your compass by sighting along the north-south line which they define.
Directions: From Interstate 40, take Exit 105 and proceed northwesterly into Morganton. The court house will be about 2 miles on your left, at the intersection of Green and E. Union Streets.
The North Meridian can be logged as a benchmark (FA0996).