For those of you who care about these things, here are the pictures from my
recent visits to the Camp Wisdom benchmarks.
Click to enlarge:
When you see this sign, you'll know you have arrived at Camp Wisdom.
The second sign should remove any doubt.
Before exploring the area, be sure to check in with the people in the
office. This is private property, after all.
To find the WISDOM benchmark cluster, start at the southeast corner of the
main parking lot, and walk about 500 feet to the southeast.
I never would have found this benchmark without GPS. It's about 100 feet away from a
dirt road, roughly 50 yards east of a cell phone tower.
This mark isn't really obvious at close range, either.
The sticks surrounding the mark gave it away. But apparently it has been a while since the
last professional user was here.
Here it is, and here it has been since 1947.
About 40 yards to the northeast (actually 37.887 meters, according to the data sheet), there is
another marker called Wisdom #1. It is next to a double power pole. Both
poles have the same number.
If you weren't looking for this, you probably wouldn't notice it. Perhaps benchmarks
are designed to "keep a low profile."
Here is a closer shot of Wisdom #1.
About 40 yards to the north-northwest of the main mark (the data sheet says 34.845 meters) there is
another marker named Wisdom #2.
The final stop on the tour is the Azimuth Mark, which is about 1/8 mile east of the
main mark (the data sheet says 75° bearing from the main mark), on the north side
of the road. Look for a metal post.
This was once a "Witness Post", but the warning sign has been almost completely removed.
Even after you find the post, you'll have to hunt for the marker, especially if it is covered
with dirt.
It's hidden under a bush, but it's not too hard to locate.
All the markers in this group, other than the main mark, have an arrow pointing
toward the main mark.
Here is another detailed
description of the Wisdom benchmark. The Camp Wisdom Triangulation Station is
located at 32° 40' 20.38" N., 96° 55' 50.06" W., at an
altitude of 761 feet.
Here is a place to look up
every benchmark
near Camp Wisdom, or substitute your own zip code.
"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom…"
Prov. 3:13
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