The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-07-27
Sierra County.

/
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);
oa6he south by Dona Ana county and
on the west by Grant and Socorro coun-
ties. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary for
zs 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 to west,
2,s7e square miles, the county has a di-
yersiHed topography. In the extreme
east are large plans; then asystem OF
mountain ranges running from north
70 south, along the east bank OF the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristobsl 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 p~romipences
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 we'll defined. With the ex-
~ception of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which How
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
fow southeast, into the Rio Grande'
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
Elevations,iin the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1874 ,(Fest's Ferry
to SIT Alamosal. 6,54O lCanada Ala
mosal, to s,O45 Nell's Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
In the northern part from 1900 lRlo
Grande, above Rincon], to 4,6s9 labove
Mutt stationl, SPA [Hillsboroughh l.
494 IBerrenda spring., to 1874 Hen
bricks Peakl. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO [below Lava stationl'
to 1872 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty.eight 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
doubt. AS a proof that water exists
the railroad we'll, at Upham station,
formerly Martins WELL may be men
toned. The Atchison, Topeka q Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, skirting IL
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
With Lake Valley, by a northerly
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
the Rio Grande. starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairvi6w and Grafton, or in the south
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
well watered by creeks and streams
In the northwest corner, eight or nine
creeks empty into the Gila. 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 lMonti-
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.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are.of the same origin and
The same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with severa
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The county is we'll divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land EN-
bracing a considerable section OF thu
Rio Grande valley, where agriculture
IS followed; wherever openings in thu
valleys of the different aft uents AFFORD
room enough to do so, agricultural pur
suits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturag'
lands are fully available, and the stool
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra count!
are conferred in the mines.