The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-03-22
Sierra County.
Taken FEom Statistics Compiled Py the
Bureau Of Immigrationl.

Bureau Of Immigration).
Sierra county is situated in south
entral New Mexico. being bounded On
the north and east by SocOrro county
out of which it was mainly tasen)i
on the south by Dona Ana county and
on the west By rant and Socorro coun-
aies. The principal meridian OF New
Naxico forms It's eastern boundary for
a. miles. The summit OF the black
Range is the western limit. IL not
very large in extent, averaging MY
fonr miles from north to SOUTH ana
and about the same from east TO west
. a76 square miles, the county has a d.
yersi6ed topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem Oh
mountain ranges, running from north
ia south. along the east bank OF the
Rio Grahde Sierra Fa Cristobal and
cabailo) and at their western base nat
river. leaving about one-third OF the
area of the county on the eastern
hank. On the west side plains inter-
rnpted here and there by p~rominences
extendt 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 the
drainape is well defined. With the ex-
%cception of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which now
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
aow~ into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
inc their mouths, are worn deep INTO
the plains.
Elevations in the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1,4S4 (Fests feffN
to5177 Alamosal. 6,54Q canada Ala
mosaL. to S,O45 Nells Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
II the northern part from 4'OoO thio
Grande. above RinconL, o4,6S9 laboVe
Nptt stationL /, 1924 [Hillsborough !, =
494 IBerrenda spring., to 7,o'4 lIeh
drick's Peakl. On the east side oil the
Rio Grande. the plains gradually deS-
cend from APO [below Lava statiohL
to 4342 feet above Grama, in a distance
Of forty.elght miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF the
country, and that water a De OBTAIN
ed by sinking tubular wells there IS no
doubt. AS a proof that water eXis1s'
The railroad well, at Upham statloh'
formerly Martins WE'LL may be men
TONED. The Atchison, Topeka " SANTA
he road runs through the entire lengIh
of this part of the country, skirtlng IL
also around its southern limits ana
making connection, at Mutt STATION
with Lake VALLEY, By a northerly
branch Of 10 miles.
stage lines connectthe country across
ene Rio Grande, starting from Engle
station, to Cuchlllo Negro, Chloride
Falryiew and Grafton, or in the OUT
from Lake Valley TO Hilisoorough'
Kingston, Pearcha City and hermoSa
which latter, also, can 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
e5sterlv course. with Alamosa lMontl-
celiol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo'Ne gro; its upper course
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and u
Fork. There are, in the Range, Tue
following towns: Grafton, FarVie"'
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 yer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ann
mas 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
valley, mesa and mountain lana em'
bracing a considerable section of tue
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
is followed; wherever openings In tht
valleys of the different atluents aiforo
room enough to do SO, agricultural pur
suits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturag'
lands are fully available. Il the stoct
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra count.
are conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts are