The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-06-29
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 takeDl;
on the 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
IS 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
and about the same from last to west,
1916 square miles, the county has a d.
yersiied topography, In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from north
10 south, along the east bank of the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristobal 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
Fupted here'and there by promineuces
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
W~esternmost 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 flow
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
flow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
Elevations,Ii i'm the northern part of the
county, vary from 1,4S4 (Fest's Ferry
to 5,177 [Alamosal, $50 canada Ala
mosal, to S,O45 [Nell's Passl, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1000 LRio
Grande, above Rinconl, o4,6S9 [above
Mutt station], 1924 [Hillsborough !, 4
4e4 [Berrenda spring., to 1874 [Hen7
bricks Peak. On the east side Of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4.720 [below Lava station,
to 4.342 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
doubt. AS a proof that water exists,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins we'll may be NEIL
TONED. The Atchison, Topeka Il Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, skirting it
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 Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairyiew and Grafton, orin 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 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 [Monti-
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 Ger valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are.of the same origin and
che same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
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 the
Rio Grande valley, where agriculture
is followed; wherever openings in the
valleys of the different afl uents afford
room enough TODD so, agricultural pur-
quits are followed.
Being we'll watered, the pasturage
lands are fully available, and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
ara conferred in the mines.