The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-11-29
Sierra County.

Taken From ~tatisties Compiler by the
Bureau Of Immigrstionl.
Sierra county is situated in south
centrl New Mexico, being bounded on
the north and east by SOc0rrO county
out OF which IL was mainly t~aken);
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 hfty-
four miles from north TO south, ana
and about the same from east TO west
2,376 square miles, the county has a d.
versifed 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) aud at their western base that
river, leaving about one-third OF h
area of the county on the eastern
bank. On the west side plains. inter
rupteG here and there by prominences
extend 70 the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
wesferaGost portion. Sloping, not
only from roth 70 south, but also
frccl TIE northeast 70 southwest, the
drainage IS well defined. With the eX-
eepslcu Of 4 few creeks. in the utter
most northwest corner, which flow
westward INTO the Rio ella. all streams
fcw southeast iatO the Rio Grande.
Tue ueGs Of these streams, approach
I'M their uoa.hs, are worn deep into
the plAIas
Elevations n the northern part Of the
county. vary from 1,44 TESTS Ferry
10 5,I77 Alamosal. $50 canada Ala
mosal to S,04J Nelrs Pass, from the
Rio Graude, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4,0e0 Trio
Grande, above RincOnl, to 1859 Iabove
Mutt station. 1924 [Hillsborough =
49I [Berrenda spring.. to 1874 lHen-
bricks Peakl. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO TbelOw Lava stationI,
to 4.942 feet above Grama, in a distance
Of forty-elght miles. There are springs
scattered ever 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 men
toned. The AtchisOD, Topeka x Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, skirting 1t
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a %northerly
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines c%Ounectthe 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, Pearcha City and hermosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro.
The western part of the county is
we'll watered by creeks and streams.
In the northwes 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 lMonti-
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, Fairyiew,
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 over valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
creeks are of the same origin and
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The county is well divided into the
mesa and mountain land en-
bracing a considerable section of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
IS followed; wherever openings in the
Of the different afiuents afford
room enough TODD so, agricultural pur
suits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturage
ands are fully available, and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
ire conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts are: