The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-01-11
Sierra County.

tRO'A" St"hAI - ot~uoANN II 0tNl
eutral New Mexico. being bounded on
she north and east by SOcorr0 county
out or which it was mainly tasenli
on the south by Dona Ana county and
on the west by rant and Socorro coun-
IS. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary for
4S miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. If not
very large in extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north TO south. and
and about the same from east TO west
1915 square miles, the county has Il di-
versifed topography. In the extreme
east are large PLAINS; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from north
e9south, along the east bank of the
2io Grande Sierra Fa Cristobal and
Caballo) and at their western base that
river, leaving about one7third 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. Sloping, 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 now
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
low southeast, into the Rio Grande
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
Elevations,i in the northern part of the
&. county, vary from 1,4S4 (Fest's Ferry
to SLIT Alamosal, 6,54O canada Ala
mosab to 500 5 Nells Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1000 Trio
Grande, above Rinconl, to 1859 labove
Mutt stationl, 1924 [HillsDoroughl, l.
d94 [Berrenda spring., to 1874 Hen
bricks Peakl. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4.720. [below Lava stationh
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 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 Atchison, Topeka Il 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 IS miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
the Rio Grande. starting from Engle
station, to CuchillO Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and 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.
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
wet side OF the Black Range. On the
east side are, heading in the Black
Range, Alamosa creek, having a south
easterly course, with Alamosa [Monti-
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, Fairview,
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the lover valley.
Mo Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
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 land en-
bracing a considerable section of the
BIO rande valley, where agriculture
la followed wherever openings in the
valleys of the different afiuents afford
room enough to do so, agricultural pur-
quits 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
are conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts are:
Apache. Black Range, Cuchlllo Negro,
Kingston, Hermosa, Animas, Hills
borough, Pereha and Lake Valley.
The center of Apache mining dis