U. S. Coast & Geodetic Survey "H 2" Jerry Penry
Arriving at the site on April 25, 2009, were Gene Thomsen, David Hoffart and Jerry Penry. We felt we had a good chance at finding this bench mark since the 1946 recovery said it was buried. After measuring from the nearby railroad tracks and from the culvert, the location landed in a hard-packed parking lot of a grain company. The digging was very tough as we chipped away through rocks, cinders, brick, a layer of asphalt, broken concrete, and hard packed earth. Once we got through the rubble, we were able to probe and struck something solid to the west side of our excavated hole. Further digging revealed the top of the 109-year-old bench mark 2.8' deep.
The owner of the grain company came by to see what we were doing. He said we were lucky because he is planning to pave the entire area with concrete in the next 60 days. He tentatively agreed to possibly form around the bench mark after we explained the importance of the historic marker. It is also hoped that a geodetic leveling crew from the Nebraska Department of Roads will be able to transfer the elevation to a new bench mark that would be in a safer location.
Bench Mark
1900
April 25, 2009
Bench mark "H 2" was established by USC&GS at Brunswick, Nebraska, in the year 1900. The monument is a 6-inch square limestone post with the letters "U S B M" inscribed on the top and a square cut hole in the center. The last record of anyone finding this bench mark occurred in 1946 when C&GS surveyors found it 1.3' deep. This recovery provided a distance to the nearby railroad track as well as a distance to a headwall on a culvert. Also provided was an offset distance from the building line in the far distance to the south. 
Gene Thomsen removes more material from the hole. The 1946 report stated an iron rod was west of the bench mark, but we did not find it with the metal locater. The locomotive in the picture belongs to the Nebraska Northeastern Railroad which is a short line company operating between Sioux City and O'Neill. It is ex-Union Pacific locomotive #9965.
We think we have finally found something that is more than just additional rubble.
The first view of the east edge of the historic bench mark 2.8' deep.
Without a doubt we have found the bench mark that has long been forgotten.
Water cleaned off the surface, but the letters are not very crisp due to the top surface likely seeing a lot of traffic over the top of it in past years before the fill material was placed over it.
From the top looking down. An iron rod was placed on the east side to aid the next person in finding it easier.
The original description by USC&GS.
Back to Original USC&GS Bench Marks
© Jerry Penry 2010