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

fTaken From ~tatistics Compiled by thu
Bureau Of Immigranonl.
Sierra county is situated In south
centrl New Mexico, being bounded on
The north and east By Socorro county
out of which it was mainly takenli
on the south BY Dena Ana county ana
on the west by rant and Soeorro coup-
ties. The principal meridian oil Ne"
Mexico forms les eastern boundary iOi
Is miles. The summit of the BLACK
Range is the western limit. II not
very large in extent, averaging my
four miles from north TO south, ana
and about the same from east TO west
2376 square miles, the county mas a ol-
yersiied topography. IN the extreme
east are large plans; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from north
TO south, along the east bank OF D
Rio Grande (Sierra'Fa CTistobal ana
Caballo) and at their western base that
river, leaving about one-third OF Inc
area of the county on the eastern
hank. On the west side plains. inter
rupted here and there by promlnehces
extend to the foot bills of the DlacA
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies INC
westernmost portion. Sloplng, not
only from north to south, put alSo
from the northeast to southwest the
drainage is well defined. with the eA-
cention of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, when no"
westward into the Rio ella. all streams
how southeast, iut0 the Kio Urahue'
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep lh'o
the plains. na
Elevations, i'm the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1,484 (Fests Ferry
TO 5l77 Alamosal, 6,540 Canada Ala
mosal, to 8,O45 Nelrs Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4,0cO mo
Grande, aboYe Rinconl, to 4,6s9 laooVe
Mutt station, 1924 [Hillsboroughh l.
494 TBerrenda spring., to 1914 lheh-
bricks Peakl. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually aes-
cend from 4.72O below Lava stationl'
m 4 942 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty.elght miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part oil the
country, and that water can be ooIalh-
ed by sinking tubular wells, there is no
doubt. AS a proof that water exists
the railroad well, at Upham station
formerly Martins well may be men
TONED. The AtchisoD, Topeka x santa
re road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, skirtlhg II
also around its southern limits, anu
making connection. at Mutt station
with Lake Valley, by a northeriy
branch of - miles.
Stage lines c~onnectthe country across
the Rio Grande, starting from Engle
atation. to Cuchillo Negro. Chloride
Fairyiew and Grafton, or IN the soutl
from Lake Valley to Hillsborough
Kingston, Pearcha City and hermoS'
which latter, also, can be reached fron
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro. !.
The western part of the county Il
well watered by creeks and streams
In the northwest corner, eight or MIN
creeks empty into the Glla' on III
west side of the Black Range. On IN
east side are, heading in the BiacI
Range. AIamosa creek, having a soutl
easterly course, with Alamosa lMohtl
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper cours
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Mine
al. Dry and Chloride creeks and SoutI
Fork. There are, in the Range, tn
following towns: Grafton, FairyleW
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the lc yer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio An
mas creeks are of the same origin an
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with severa
heads. Percha City, Kingston and HILL
borough.
The county is well divided into tn
valley, mesa and mountain land en-
braeing a considerable section OF th
Rio rande valley, where agricultuI
is followed; wherever openings in til
valleys of the different affuents affor
room enough TODD SO, agricultural pu
quits are followed.
Being well watered, the pastura9
lands are fully available, and the stOC
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra count
are conferred in the mines.