The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1892-02-26
Sierra County.

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Sierra county is situated in south
central New Mexico, being bounded On
the north and east by Socorro county
out Of which it was mainly taken);
on the south by Dcna Ana county and
'on the westby Grant aud Socorro coun-
lies. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary for
4S miles. The summit of the Black
Range Is the western limit. If cot
very large in extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north TO south, and
and about the same from east to west,
1919 square miles, the county has a di-
versi6ed topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asyStem OF
mountain ranges, running from north
ITO south, along the east bank OF the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristohal and
Caballo) and at their western base that
river, leaving about one-third OF the
area of the county on the eastern
bank. On the west side plains, inter
rupted here and there by prOminences
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
westernmost portion. Sloping, not
only from north to south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, the
drainage is well defined. With the eX-
fception of a few creeks, in the utter
most nOrthwe corner, which flow
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
flow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
Elevations, in the northern part of the
county, vary from 1884 (Fests Ferry
70 5,l77 fLlamossl, 6,54O canada Ala
timosal, to- 8,045 fNelrs PasSl, from the
rio Grande, to the western boundary,
in the northern part from 1000 Trio
Grande,' above Rinconl, to4,6S9 [above
Mutt stationl, 1924 [tIillsboroughl l.
1914 3errenda spring., to 1874 Hen
bricks Peak. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4,72O below Lava station
to A,S42 feet above Grama, in a distance
'offorty.elght mileG. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF the
country, and that water can be OBTAIN
ed by sinking tubular wells. there IS no
doubt. AS a proof that water exists,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins well may be e
toned The Atchison, Topeka & Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, sklrting 1t
also around it's southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a n~ortherIy
branch of % miles.
" Stage lines connectthe country across
the Rio Grande, starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or in ,he south
from Lake Valley to 1lillsborough,
KinpstcI, Pearcha City and hermosa,
which latter, also, can be reached from
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro.
T. The western part of the county is
well watered by creeks and streams.
In the northwest corner, eight or nine
creeks empty into the ella, on the
Bestside of the Black Range. On the
east side are, heading in the Black
Range, Alamosa creek, having a south
easterly course. WITH Alamosa [Morti-
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper course
Is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and South
Fork. There are, in the Range, the
following towns: Grafton, FairView,
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 yer valley.
s Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are of the same origin and
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
heads, Percla City, Kingston and Hills
borough. -
! The county is we'll divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land en-
bracing a considerable section of the
Rio Grande valley. where agriculture
is followed; wherever openings in the
valleys of the different afluents afford
room enough to do so, agricultural pur-
suits are followed.
Being well Watered, the pasturage
lands are fully available. and the stock
interests are in good condition.
fnThe main interests of Sierra county
ara canfnEed in the mineS