U. S. Coast & Geodetic Survey "D 3" Jerry Penry
Bench Mark
1901
September 2, 2010
This bench mark is located in one of the most beautiful areas of western Nebraska. An early cattle shipping location along the C&NW Railroad was named "Arabia" since the Sandhills region seemed similar to that of the Arabian Desert. This bench mark is located one mile west of where the depot and stockyards at Arabia used to exist and is a typical limestone post. I first discovered this bench mark on November 28, 1997, and returned on September 2, 2010, to obtain more photos. Bench Mark "D 3" is one of the nicest remaining examples of an original USC&GS bench mark. The C&NW Railroad came through this area in 1882 and was abandoned in 1992. Today it is known as the "Cowboy Trail" hiking trail.
The former C&NW Railroad grade is now a hiking trail that traverses across northern Nebraska and into the Sandhills region east of Valentine.
Looking toward the southwest over Bench Mark "D 3" and the Nebraska Sandhills region as the backdrop.
Close-up view of the bench mark face showing the letters and square cut hole.
Looking east with Milepost 254 in the background. The milespost represents 254 miles west from Fremont, Nebraska.
Top view of the moss covered bench mark from 1901.
Original description from 1901 for Bench Mark "D 3".
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© Jerry Penry 2010