The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-08-09
Sierra County.

sierra county Is situated III Souin
eentrl New Mexico, being bounded On
the north and east by SOcoTrO county
out OF which il WAS mainly taken);
on the south by Dcna Ana county aud
on the west by rant 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 niles from north to south. and
and about the same from east TO west,
2,ST6 square miles, the county has a d.
yersided 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 az their western base that
river, leaving about one-third OK the
area of the county on the eastern
bank. On the west side plains, inter
rup.ed here and there by prominences
extend to the foot hills Of the Black
range for from twenty TO thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
YeSternmOst 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 low
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
dow southeast, iutO the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
Elevations in the northern part of the
county, vary from l,4S4 TESTS Ferry
to 5,I77 AlamOsal. 6,540 canada Ala
mosal, to s,O45 Nelrs Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1000 Trio
Grande, above RincOnl, to 1859 [aboye
Mutt statiOnl. SPA [Hillsboroughb Il
494 [Berrenda springl, TO 1914 Hen
bricks Peakl. On the east side of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des.
cend from 4.72O [below Lava s%tationl
to 4,342 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 bysinking tubular wells, there Is nc
doubt. AS a proof that water exists
the railroad well, at Upham station
formerly Martins we'll may be men
toned. The Atchisou, Topeka Il Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part Of the country, skiTting il
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station
with Lake Valley, by a northeriy
branch OF Is miles.
Stage lines c|Onnect the country acTOs:
the Rio Grande. starting from Engit
station, 10 CuchIllO Negro. Chloride
Fairview and Grafton, or in the soutl
from Lake Valley to ElllsbOrOugh
Kingston, Pearcha City and nermos,
which latter, also. can be reached frOu
Engle, via Cuehillo Negro.
The western part of the county j
well watered by creeks and streams
In the northwest corner, eight or min,
creeks empty into the ella, on tn
west side of the Black Range. On th,
east side are, healing in the Blacl
Range, Alamosa creek, having a sOutl
easterly course, with Alamosa MONT
cello] the prineipal.town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper cours
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Mine
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and Soutl
Fork. There are, in the Range, tn,
following towns: Grafton, Fairyiew
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the OTer valley.
Rio PalOmaS, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are of the same origin anC
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with severa
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hill
borough.
The county is well divided into th,
valley, mesa aud mountain land EN-
bracing d considerable section of tht
Rio raDde valley, where %agriculturt
is followed; wherever openings in tht
valleys of the different afluents aforj
room enough TODD 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.
The principal mining districts are
Apache. Black Range, Cuchlllo Negro
Kingston, Hermosa, Animas, Hills
borough. Percha and Lake Valley.