HV4106 Washington D.C.

[+joshuar9476]

I try to log benchmarks as honestly as possible. i'll be heading to the DC area over Labor Day weekend and was looking for benchmark types I currently do not have. There seems to be some confusion as to whether or not this one is logable. What does everyone here think?

[Z15]

This is what is called an "Intersection Station", aka landmarks and observed from multiple directions to determine its position, NGS is no longer is interested in having these updated. But you can certainly log it on this site. They have little value to the surveying discipline with the advent of modern tools such as GPS.

Edited August 21, 2015 by Z15

[+Michaelcycle]

This is what is called an "Intersection Station", aka landmarks and observed from multiple directions to determine its position, NGS is no longer is interested in having these updated. But you can certainly log it on this site. They have little value to the surveying discipline with the advent of modern tools such as GPS.

 

I think the OP wants to know if it is OK to log it even though it isn't there anymore.

The data sheet indicates that the flagpole on top of the dome is the intersection station. Here is an advertisement from the Washington Times (1897) showing the flagpole (haven't found a photo yet):

 

 

Here is the building recently:

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4687941690_02bc05d534_b.jpg

 

My opinion is that if the flagpole isn't there you shouldn't log it.

 

There are lots of other intersection stations in Washington D.C. including the Washington Monument. Be sure to check out the Meridian on the Ellipse (HV1846) if you are interested in unusual marks.

[+BenchmarkHunter]

In looking at the recent picture, I'd be very curious about what appears to be something atop the center of the dome. If it's the base of the flagpole, which it might well be, then I'd log it as Found, though probably in Poor condition because the flagpole itself is missing, much like a diskless stem for a benchmark disk.

[ArtMan]

This is what is called an "Intersection Station", aka landmarks and observed from multiple directions to determine its position, NGS is no longer is interested in having these updated. But you can certainly log it on this site. They have little value to the surveying discipline with the advent of modern tools such as GPS. ... There are lots of other intersection stations in Washington D.C. including the Washington Monument.

Washington Monument 1913 (HV4442) is one of those intersection stations, but it has the very rare distinction of having been occupied. A few years ago, when the monument was surrounded by scaffolding for repairs, crews from the National Geodetic Survey installed GPS equipment on top of the monument. One finding of the latest survey: the monument is a bit shorter than previously reported.

[+joshuar9476]

Thanks everyone. I'll probably just log it as found. It's not the end of the world if I'm incorrect.