The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-11-16
Sierra County.

G |
Sierra:county is situated in south
central New Mexico, being bounded On
the north and east by Socorr0 county
out OF which it was mainly takenl;
on the south by Dons Ana county and
on the west by Grant and Socorro coun-
ties. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary for
IS miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. II not
very large in extent, averaging hfty-
four miles from north to south, ana
and about the same from east 10 west,
2,376 square miles, the county has a d.
versihed topography, In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem Oh
mountain ranges, running from north
70 south, along the east bank OF the
Rio q rande Sierra Fa Cristobal ana
Caballo) and at their western base that
river. leaving about OIe-third OF the
area of the county on the eastern
hank. On the west side plains. inter
rupted here and there by promlnenceS
axtand IN the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
yesternmost portion, Sloping' not
only from north to south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, the
drainage is well defined. With the ex-
ception of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which how
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
flow southeast, into the Rio Grahue'
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
TO SIT Alamosal, 6,54O canada Ala
mosal, to S,O45 NelIs Pass, from the
Rio Geande. to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1900 lRlo
Grande, above Rinconl, to 1859 labove
Mutt stationl 1924 [Hillsboroughl l.
494 IBerrenda sprlngl, to 1874 lHen-
bricks Peakl. On the east side OF the
RIO Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4,72O [below Lava statlonI,
to 1912 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty eight miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part oil the
country, and that water can be I a
cd nv sinking tubular wells, there IS no
doubt. AS proof that water exists,
the railroad we'll, at Upham station,
formerly Martins WE'LL may be men
Toned. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, skirtlng IL
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Nutt!As station,
with Lake Valley, by a northeriy
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines c~onnectth country across
the Rio Grande, starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro. Chloride,
: Fairview and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to Hillsborough'
Kingston, Pearcha City and HeFmosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro.
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
west side of the Black Range. On the
east side are, heading in the BLACK
Range, Alamosa creek. having a south
easterly course, with Alamosa lMontl-
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper course
Is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Minel
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and South
Fork. There are, in the Range, the
following towns: Grafton, Fairvlew
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 Ter valley.
Bio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio AM
mas creeks are.of the same origin ant
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with severa
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hill
borough.
The county, is we'll divided into th
valley, mesa and mountain lane em
bracing u considerable section of th
Rio Grande valley, where a%gricultur
is followed; wherever openings in th
valleys of the different a%fluents affor
room enough to do so, agricultural pul
suits are followed.
BEING well watered, the pasturag
lands are fully available, and the stoc
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra count
are centered in the mines.
The principal mining districts are
Apache. Black Range, Cuchlllo Negr'
Kingston, HermOsa. Animas, Hill
hnronuh Darnho and Iaka Va1inV