U. S. Coast & Geodetic Survey
Bench Mark

"T 2"
1901

Jerry Penry
October 18, 1997

Bench Mark "T 2" was established by USC&GS approximately three miles east of Stuart, Nebraska, along the Chicago & North Western Railroad. The original description described the mark as being a copper bolt set in the lower west ledge of a concrete bridge abutment on the south side of the tracks. Typically these bolts were placed in oversized drill holes and then molten lead was poured around the bolt to secure it is place. At some point in time the bolt either was removed or possibly vibrated out of the hole. The drill hole with lead was found. The use of a coin metal detector capable of detecting copper was used all around the bottom of the abutment, but no trace of the bolt could be found. The railroad ceased operations in November of 1992 and the old roadbed is now known as the "Cowboy Trail".

The small railroad bridge that once held the bench mark. (Photo is facing east).
Highway 20 is to the left in the photo.

Concrete abutment where copper bolt was placed.

Close-up view of the drill hole with lead that once held the copper bolt.

Back to Original USC&GS Bench Marks

© Jerry Penry 2010