The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-12-21
Sierra County.

bureau OF immAetAAtNJs IL
sierra county is situated in south
eatral New Mexico. being bounded On
the north and east by Socorro county
out OF which il was mainly taken)i
on the south by Dona Ana county and
on tue westby rant and Socorro coun-
ties. The principal meridian OF New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary for
As miles. The summit of the BLACK
'panpe is the western limit, III not
very large in extent, averaging hi'y.
,our miles from north to south, ana
and about the same from east to west'
e.s7s square miles, the county has a al
yersiied topography. In the extreme
EAST are large plans; then asystem OF
~mountain ranges, running from north
% south. along the east bank OF the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristooal
Caballo) and at their western base tna'
river leaving about one-third OF the
orc. Of the county on the eastern
hank. On the west side plains. inter
united here and thereby prominehces
avtend to the foot hills of the BLACK
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies 1he
westernmost portion. Sloplng' no'
onlv from north TO south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, the
drainage is well defined. with the ex-
%cention of "a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, when no"
westward into the Rio ella, all treams
aow southeast, into the RIO orahue'
The beds of these streams, approach
mo their mouths, are worn deep INTO
the plains. t,bo
E~ievations.fn the northern part OF the
county vary from 1,4s4 (Fests ferrW
to SIT Alamosal. 6,54O lCanada Ala
mosal, to S,o4 ; Nells Pass from Tue
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
IN the northern part from 1000 mo
Grande, above Rinconl to 4,6Ss laDove
Mutt statiopl, 1924 [Hillsboroughl, =
aa4 TBerrenda spring., to 1874 tHen-
bricks Peakl. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually oes-
cend from APO [below Lava staVlohI b
toA942 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty-elght miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF the
country, and that water can De oo'ain
cd nv sinking tubular wells, there is no
doubt. AS a proof that water exiSts'
tbe railroad well, at Upham station
formerly Martins WE'LL may be men
tioned. The Atchison, Topeka u Santa
re road runs through the entire lengtn
of this part of the country, skirtlhg II
also around its southern limits, ano
making connection, at Mutt station
with Lake Valley, by a northeriS
branch of IS miles.
stage lines connettthe country across
the Rio Grande. starting from Ehsi'
station. to Cuchillo Negro, Chlorloe
Fairview andra fton, or IN the souC'
from Lake Valley to Hillsborough
Kingston, Pearcha CITY and hermoS'
which latter, also, can be reached fron
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro. f.
The western part Of the county
well watered by creeks and streams
In the northwest corner, eight or Mn
creeks empty into the ella, on tn
west side Of the Black Range. On tn
east side are, heading in the Flac
Range, Alamosa creek. having a SOU
easterly course, with AIamosa. Mont
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper eour
ia formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Mine
al. Dry and Chloride creeks and Sout
Fork. There are, in the Range, u
following towns: Grafton, FalrvleN
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo N
gro is in the 10 @er valley,
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Al
mas creeks are of the same origin al
the same general course
Rio Percha waters, with sever
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Ill
borough. -.
Theeounty is well divided into t
valley, mesa and mountain land e
bracing a considerable section OF
Rio rande valley, where agrlcuitt
is followed; wherever openings in
valleys Of the different afluents atfc
room enough TODD so, agricultural p
suits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasture
lands are fully available. and the ste
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra coul
are centered in the mines.
The principal mining districts a
Apache, Black Range, Cuchlllo Neg