The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-03-29
Sierra County.

NAAAch ttohn otAtt7tioa NOmpAen " Nne
Bareau Of Emmigrationl.
Sierra county is situated in south
EXTRA New Mexico. being bounded oil
the north and east by S0c0rro count,
out OF which it was mainly taken)
On the south by Dola Ana county and
on the west by rant aud Socorro coun-
;ies. 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 hfty-
four miles from north TO south. and
and about the same from east to west,
2.376 square miles, the county has a di-
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) and at their western base that
river, leaving about o%ne-third of the
area of the county on the eastern
bank. On the west side plains, inter
rupted here and there by p~rominences
extend to the foot hills 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-
ception of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which flow
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
flow 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 1884 (Fest's Ferry
to 5,l77 Alamosa], $50 canada Ala
mosal, to S,O45 Nells Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1000 Trio
Grande, above Rinconl, to 1850 [above
Mutt stationl, 1924 [HillsboroughL l.
f94 [Berrenda spring., to 1914 Hen
bricks Peak. On the east side of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4.72O below Lava stationL
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 & Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, skirting it
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a %northerly
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines connectth country ACROSS
the Rio Grande. starting from EngIe
to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, Or in the south
from Lake Valley Co Hillsborougb,
Kingston, Pearcha City and hermosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
via Cuchillo Negro,
The western part of the county is
we'll watered by creeks and streams.
In th3 northwest corner, eight or nine
empty into the ella, on the
west side of the Black Range. On the
EAST side are, heading in the Black
Alamosa creek, having a south
course, with AlamOsa [Monti-
the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper course
s formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
Il, Dry and Chloride creeks and South
Fork. There are, in the Range, the
.ollowing towns: Grafton, Fairview,
chloride and Hermosa. Cuchilf0 Ne
,ro is in the 10 yer valley.
Rio PalOmas, Rio SecO and Rio Ami
mas creeks are of the same origin and
he same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
.eads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
'Orough.
The county is we'll divided into the
alley, mesa and mountain land en-
racing a considerable section of the
lilo rapde valley, where agriculture
followed; wherever openings in the
of the different ~afluents afford
pom enough TODD SO, agricultural pur-
lits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturage
Inds are fully available, and the stock
lterests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
70 centered in the mines.
The principal mining districts are:
pache. Black Range. CucbllIo Negro