The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-08-03
Sierra County.

Sierra county is situated in south
central New Mexico, being bounded on
the north and eait by SOcorro county
out OF which it WAS mainly taken);
on the south by Dcna Ana county and
on the west by Grant and Socorro coun-
ties, The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms It's eastern boundary for
4S miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit, If not
very large in extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north TO south, and
aud about the same from east 10 wesi,
R,3I6 square miles, the county has u di-
verslied topography, In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem OF
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 that
river, leaving about onerthird OF the
area of the county Oh the eastern
bank. On the west side plains, inter
rupted here and there by promlnences
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
westernmost portion. Sl0ping, 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 Gi,a, all streams
how southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep INTO
the plains.
Eleyations,'i in the northern part of the
county, vary from 1,4s4 (Fest's Ferry
to 5.l77 Alamosal, 6,54O canada Ala
mosal, to s,045 Ntll'a Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
III the northern part from 1000 lRio
Grande, above Rinconl, to 1850 Labuve
Mutt stationl, 1924 [Iillsboronghb l.
e94 Berrenda sprinel, to 1914 [tlen-
bricks Peak. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO below Lava s%tationl,
to 4.342 feet above Grama, in Il distance
of forty.eIght miles. Ibeie are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF the
country, and that water can tie obtain
ed by sinking tubular wells, there is no
doubt. AS II proof that water exists,
the railroad well, at Uphan 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, skirting ii
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a n%ortherly
branch of IS miles,
Stage lines cOnnectthe country across
the Rio Grande. starting from Engle
station, to Cuchlllo Negro, Chloride,
FairvieW and Grafton, or III the south
from Lake Valley to Hillsborougb,
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 ella, on the
west side Of the Black Range. On the
east side are, heading in the Black
Range, AIamosa creek, having a south
easterlv course, with Alamosa [Monti-
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchiilo 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 II the 10 yer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are.o the same origin and
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The county is well 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 todo 50, agricultural pur-
suits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturage
lands are fully available. and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
are conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts are:
Apache, Black Range, Cucllllo Negro.