The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-02-15
Sierra County.


entral New Mexico. being bounded on
1he north and east by Socorru county
but OF which it was mainly taken
on-the south by Dena Ana comfy and
On the west by rant and Socorro coun-
eies. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary for
IS miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. Ii not
verylarge in extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north TO south, and
aud about the same from east TO west,
1915 square miles, the county has a di-
versiied topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from north
20 south, along the east bank OF the
Rio Grande Sierra Ia Cristobal and
CabalIo) 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 hills of the Black
tange for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies n
westernmost portion. Sloplng' not
only from north to south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, The
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
flow southeast, into the Rio Grahde.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep mo
the plains.
Elevations, in the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1884 (Fest's Ferry
to 5,l77 Alamosal, 6,540 canada Ala
mosaL, to S,045 Nells Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
IN the northern part from 1000 Trio
Grande, above Rinconl, to 1850 [above
Mutt stationI, 1924 [Hillsboroughb L
1914 [Berrenda spring., to 1874 Hen
bricks Peakl. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4.72O [below Lava stationI,
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 can be obtain
ed by sinking tubular wells, there IS no
doubt. AS a proof that water exists,
Che railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins we'll may be men
toned. The Atehison, Topeka y santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
OF this part of the country, sklrting IL
also around its southern limits, ana
making connection. at Mutt station
with Lake Valley, by a northerly
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines c%onneetthe country across
the Rio Grande. starting from Engle
station, to Cuchille Negro, Chloride,
Fairview ard Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to Hillsborough'
Kingston, Pearcha City and hermosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro,
TAe western part OF the county is
well watered by creeks and streams.
In the northwest corner, eight or niue
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 Month
cellol the principal town.
Rio CuchiIlo Negro; its upper course
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
Ill, 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 Ner valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are of the same origin aud
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
heads, Percha City, kingston ahdklilllt
borough.
The county is well divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land EN-
bracing a considerable section of The
Hio rande valley, where AGRICULTURE
is followed; wherever openings in tht
valleys of the different afl aents affort
room enough TODD SO, agricultural pur.
quits are followed.
Beng well watered, the pasturagt
lands are fully available, and the stocE
interests are in good condition. s
The main interests of Sierra county
!. are conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts. are
Apache, Black Range, CuchlllO Negro
! Kingston, Hermosa, Animas, Hills
W = HH -l - IEGtE