The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-04-13
Sierra County.
lTzkeu from Statistics Furnished by
8drean OF immigrationl.


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);
en- the south by Dcna Ana county and
On The west by Grant and Socorro conn
lies. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary toi
IS miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. If not
very large in extent, averaging nifty
four miles from north to south, and
and about the same from east TO wes',
2.s76 square miles, the county has a di-
versi6ed topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem oil
mountain ranges, running from north
to south, along the east bank OF the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristobal and
Caballo) and at their western base tha'
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 prominenees
extend to the foot hills of the BLACK
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
westernmost portion. Slipping, 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 now
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
cow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
inc their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains. -
Eleyations,in the northern part Of the
county, vary from ::1,4S4 (Fest's Ferry
80 5,l77 [Alamosal, 6,540 canada Ala
mosal, to S,O45 [NelI's Passl, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
,n the northern part from 1000 lhio
Grande. above Rinconl, to4,689 laboVe
Mutt stationl 1924 [Hillsboroughl, Il
494 [Berrenda spring., to 1874 Hen
bricks Peakl. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4.72O [below Lava stationl
to 4S42 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 be obtain
ed by sinking tubular wells, there IS no
donbt. AS a proof that water exists
the railroad we'll, at Upham station
formerly Martins WE'LL may be men
toned. The Atchison, Topeka u Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, skirtlhg IL
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
With Lake Valley, by a %northerly
Sranch of 10 miles.
Stage lines onnectthe.country across
the Rio Grande, starting from EngIe
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chlorlde'
Tairyiew and Grafton, or in the SCUM
from Lake Valley to HillsbOrough,
Kingston, Pearcha City and hermosa'
which latter, also. can be reached from
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro.
The western part. of the county is
we'll watered by creeks and streams
In the northwest corner, eight or niue
creeks empty into the ella, on the
west side Of the Black Range. On Inc
east side are, heading in the BiacA
Range, Alamosa creek, having a south
easterly course, with Alamosa Month
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
r is in the lover valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio AM
mas creeks are.of the same origin and
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hlll'
borough.
The county is well divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land em
bracing a considerable section OF thu
Rio Grande valley, where agriculture
ia followed; wherever openings in thu
valleys of the different afiuents AFFORD
room enough to do so, agricultural pur
suits are followed.
Being we'll watered. the pasturag.
lands are fully available, and the stool
interests are in good condition.
THE main interests of Sierra count
ere conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts are
6nooba Plack Range. CuchillO Negro