The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-05-24
Sierra County.

tTaken From Statistics Compiled ~ the
Bureau Of Immigrationl.
Sierra county is situated in south
entral New Mexico. being bounded on
the north aud east BY SOcorro county
out OF which it was mainly takenl;
on the south BY Dona Ana county and
on the west By rant aud Socorro eoun-
sies. The principal meridian oil New
Mexico forms It's eastern boundary lot
IS miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. II not
very large in extent, averaging MY
four miles from north to south, n
and about the same from east TO west,
9g76 square miles, the county has a di-
yersifed topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem OF
mountain ranges. running from nofth
TO south. along the east bank OF the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristo6al ana
Caballo) and at their western base nat
river. leaving about one third OF The
area of the county OF the eastern
hank. On the west side plains, inter-
rupted 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
westernmost portion. Sloping' not
only from north to south, but also
from the northeast TO southwest Ihe
drainage is well defined. With the eX-
ception of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which how
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
dow southeast, Into 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 1.4S4 (FeSts Ferry
to a177 Alamosal. 6,540 canada Ala
mosal, to SO4j Nelfs Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1000 TRIO
Grande. aboye Rinconl, to 1859 laboVe
Mutt stationl, 5,22+ [lillsboroughb 4
594 [Berrenda springl, to 1914 lHeh-
bricks Peak. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO [below Lava statlonl'
to 1912 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 ho
doubt. As a proof that water exists
the railroad well, at Upham station
formerly Martins WE'LL may be men.
toned. The Atchison, Topeka SAINTS
Fe road runs through the entire lengti
Of this part of the country, skirtlng l
also around its southern limits, ant
making connection, at Mutt station
with Lake Valley, by a northern.
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines connectthe country acros
the Rio Grande. starting from Eng
station. to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride
Fairyiew and Grafton, or in the sout
from Lake Valley to H~illsborougi
Kingston, Pearcha City and hermos
which latter, also. can be reached irol
Engla, via Cuchillo Negro,
The western part. of the. county
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 III
east side are, heading in the Blac
Range, AIamosa creek, having a sout
easterly course, with Alamosa Mont
eellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper couri
is formed by Poverty. Pine, Bear, Mine
al. Dry and Chloride creeks and Sout
Fork. There are, in the Range, u
following towns: Grafton, Fairvie'
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo n
gro is in the 10 yer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio An
mas creeks are of the same origin al
the same, general course.
Rio Percha waters, with sever
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hi
borough.
The county is well divided into Il
valley, mesa and mountain land Ell
bracing a considerable section OF Il
Rio rande valley, where agricultu
ia followed. wherever openings in t
valleys of the different a%fiuents affo
room enough todo so, agricultural pt
quits are followed.
Being well watered, the pastura
lands are fully available, and the sto
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra coun