The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-11-15
Sierra County.

Taken From talisties Compheo " ~ @
Bureau of Immigrationl. f,
Sierra county is situated IN south i
centrI Nav Mexico, being bounded On
the north and east by SOeorT0 county
out of which it was mainly taKehli
ON the south by Dena Ana county anu
on the west by rant and S0corro coun-
ties. The principal meridian OF Ne"
Mexico forms It's eastern boundary loI
zs miles. The summit of the bldch
Range is the western limit Ii ho'
very large in extent, averaging nfty-
four miles from north TO south' anu
and about the same from east TO west
2.s7e square miles, the county has a ol-
yersifed topography. In the extreme
east are large plans; then asSstem u
mountain ranges, running from notth
tn south. along the east bank Oh the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristooai anu
fsahallot and at their western base thal
river. leaving about one-third Oh the
area of the county on the eastern
hank. On the west side plains inter
rupted here and there by promlnehces
extend to the foot hills of the BLACK
range for from twenty to thirty mites
while finally that range occupies Inc
westernmost portion. Slopins' NOV
orlv from north to south, bat also
from the northeast to southwest Tue
drainage is well defined. With the eA-
cention of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which no"
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
Cow southeast, into the Rio Grahde
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep ln'o
the plains. oe,bo
Elevationssin the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1884 (Fests FerfS)
to 5.l77 Alamosab 6,549 lCanada Ala
mosal, to s,O45 Nelrs Pass from ehe
Rio Graude. to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4,Oco lhlo
Grande, above Rinconl, to4,6S9 laDoVe
Mutt stationl, 1924 [Hillsboroughh =
Ao4 rBerrenda spring., to 1874 lheh-
arick,s Peakl. On the east side oil the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually oes-
cend from 4.72O [below Lava statlohl j
10 4,842 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty-elght miles. There are sptlnSs
scattered over this eastern part Oh Tie
country, and that water can De oDVaih
al hv sinking 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 Atchison, Topeka &oant'
re road runs through the entire iengtl
of this part of the country, sklrtihg !
also around its southern limits, ah'
making connection, at Mutt STATION
with Lake Valley, by a northeii!
branch of IS miles.
Stage lines connectth country acios
h Rio Grande. starting from Eng
atation. to Cuchillo Negro, Chlorlut
Fairview and Grafton, or IN the souC
4rom Lake Valley to Hillsborougl
kingston, Pearcha City and herlhoS
WDlCU IdlJGly dloOs NNN
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro
The western part OF the county
we'll watered by creeks and stream
In the northwest corner, eight or Mn
creeks empty into the Gila' on ID
west side Of the Black Range. On III
east side are, heading in the Blac
Range. Alamosa creek, having a sou'
aasterly course, with Alamosa lMoht
celloI the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper cour'
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear MIN
nj Dry and Chloride creeks and Sou
Fork. There are, in the Range, u
following towns: Grafton, FalrVle.
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchlllo n
r is in the 10 Wer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and ITO al
mas ereaks are Of the same origin al
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with sever
heads. Percha City, Kingston and Ill
borough. !,
The county is well divided into &
valley, mesa and mountain ahu y
hracinr a considerable section OF I
Rio rande valley, where agrlcultu
is followed; wherever openings In I
valleys of the different at1uents afo
room enough todo SO, agricultural p'
quits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasture
lands are fully available. and the $40
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra cour
are centered in the mines.
The principal mining districts a