The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-04-12
Sierra County.
Taken From ststisass Compiled By the
Bureau Of Immigrst.on).

the NORTH gga east by S'corrO county
oul 81 when IL was mainly takenl
ln the south by Dena Ana county and
on tne wrs5 by rant aud s1corr0 coun-
3ies. 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
very large in extent, averaging nifty
four miles from north TO south, and
and about the same from east TO west,
1876 square miles, the county has a di-
versitied 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
Caballol and at their western base that
river, leaving about one -third of the
area of the county on the eastern
bank. On the est side plains, inter
Tupted here aud lhere by prominences
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
westernmost portion. Sioping. not
only from north to south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, the
drainage is well defined. With the ex-
ceptiou of Il few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which flow
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
aow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
irhe beds OF these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
Elevations,in the northern part of the
county, vary from .1,4S4 (Fest's Ferry
to 5.t17 Ata.losal. 6,54O canada Ala
mosal, - },ll1 NelIs Pass, from the
BIO Grand, to the western boundary
In the northern part from 1000 Trio
Grande, above Rinconl, to 1859 [above
Mutt station. 1924 [Hillsboroughb l.
40l [Berrenda spring., to 1874 Hen
QncA's peakl. On the east side of the
Rio Grandt, Che plains gradually des-
cpnd trom APO [below Lava stationl,
10 1872 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty.el miles. There are springs
scattered 0ver 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 & 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 connectt the country across
{ ne Rio Grande, starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or in the south
Grom Lake Valley to Hillsborough,
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
easterly course, with Alamosa [Monti-
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper course
8 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 10 Wer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are.of the anne origin and
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
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 agricu lture
Is followed; wherever openings in the
valleys of the different afl e afford
room enough TODD so, agricultural pur-
suits are followed.
Being well watered, the p~asturage
.ands are fully available, and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
are centered in the mines.
The principal mining districts are:
Apache. Black Range, Cuchillo Negro,
Kingston, Hermosa. Animas, Hills
borough, Percha and Lake Valley.
The center of Apache mining dis
riot is Chloride; in Chloride gulch
Dry creek, Mineral creek, Bear creek,
nd others, silver bearing copper ores,
.nrnitaq oncur With are rich 800