The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-12-13
Sierra County.

Taken Frsm tatisties Computed D. the
Bureau VI Immigrationl.
Sierra county is situated in south
eentrl New Mexico. being bounded On
the north and east by S0corr0 county
out or which 1t was mainly takenl;
on the south by Dana Ana county and
on the west By rant and Socorro coun-
ties. The principal meridian Of New
Mexico forms It's 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 10 south, and
and about tie same from east 10 west,
R,376 square miles, the county has a d.
versited 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 One-third OF the
area of the county on the eastern
bank. On the west side plains. inter
rupted here and there by ~prominenees
extend to the foot bills 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 well defined. With the ex-
ceptiou of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which How
westward into the Rio CHA, all streams
aow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are wOrn deep INFO
the plains.
ElevationsI in the northern part OF The
county, vary from 1884 (Fest's Ferry
to 5,l77 AlamOsal. 6.54O canada Ala
mosal, to S,Ol5 NelT's Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4.VO lhlo
Grande, above RincOnl, to 4,6S9 labOVe
Mutt station. 1924 [Hillsborougbb l.
494 [Berrenda spring., to 1874 Hen
bricks Peak. On the east side OF the
BIO Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO [below Lava statlonl,
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 a 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 men
toned. The Atchison, Topeka d 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 Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or i'll the south
from Lake Valley to HillsbOrough,
Kingston, Peareha City and hermosa
which latter, also. a 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 tMonti-
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 several
heads, Perchs 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 rande valley, where agriculture
is followed; wherever openings in the
valleys of the different aflue0ts afford
room enough to do so, 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 centered in the mines.
The principal mining districts are:
Apache. Black Range, Cuchillo Negro,
Kingston, Hermosa. Animas, Hills
borough, Percha and Lake Valley.
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