The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-04-05
Sierra County.

Sierra county Is a IN sV"'
New Mexico. being bounded on
the north and east by Socorro county
out OF which it was mainly taken)i
on the south by Dona Ana county ana
on the west by rant aud Socorro coah-
ales. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary Tor
IS miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. Ii hoV
very large in extent, averaging hlty-
four miles from north to SOUTH anu
aud about the same from east TO west
2,s76 square miles, the county a a dl-
yersided topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from noftn
TO south, along the east bank Oh tne
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristobal ana
Gaballo) and at their western base tna'
river. leaving about one-thlrd OF the
area of the county on the eastern
hank. On the west side plains. inter
rupted here and there by prominence
extend to the foot hills of the BLACK
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies Vhe
westernmost portion. sloping' noV
only from north to SOUTH DuV aioO
from the northeast to southwest Vne
drainage is well defined. With me- OK
%oeptiou of a few creeks, in the uteei-
most northwest corner, when No"
westward into the Rio ella, all dreams
dow southeast, into the Rio dr"liue'
The beds of these streams, approdcu
Inc their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains. sho
Fleyations.Hn the northern part Of the
county, vary from 1,4S4 (FesCs feIiy'
to 5l77 Alamosal, 6,54O canada Ala
mosal, to s,045 Nelrs Pass, from 'ne
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
IN the northern part from 1000 lhio
Grande, above Rinconl, to4,6S9 Labove
Mutt stationl, 1924 [Hillsborougnl, :"
Ao4 rBerrenda spring., to 7,574 ldeh-
bricks Peak. On the east SID Oh INC
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO below Lava statlonl'
to 4342 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 OBTAIN
ed By sinking tubular wells, there Is ~
doubt. AS a proof that water ex'S'S'
the railroad well, at Upham statlon'
formerly Martins WELL may be men
fioned. The Atchison, Topeka " SANTA
Fa road rms through the entire length
of this part of the country, sKiIIlns !,
also around its southern limits aho
making connection, at Mutt station
with Lake Valley, by a norIhellS
branch of IS miles.
Stage lines ~connectthe country across
4he Rio Grande, starting from Engi'
a~tation. to Cuchillo Negro. Chloride
Fairyiew and Grafton, or III the sontl
from Lake Valley to H~illsborough
Kingston, Pearcha. City and hermos'
which latter, also, can be reacheu lron
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro, +.
The western part. of the county !
well watered by creeks and streams
Tn the northwest corner, eight or MN
creeks empty into the ella, on I'd
west side Of the Black Range. On III
east side are, heading in the BiacI
Range. Alamosa creek, having a soutl
easterly course, with Alamosa lMohVl
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper cours
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Nine
al. Dry and Chloride creeks and Sout
Fork. There are, in the Range, tn
following towns: Grafton, FalrvleN
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchlllo NJ
gro is in the 10 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 sewers
heads. Percha City. Kingston and Hi
borough. :.
The county is well divided into I'll
valley. mesa and mountain land Gu
bracing a considerable section OF tt
Rio rande valley, where agricultu
is followed; wherever openings In q
valleys Of the different %atiuents affol
room enough TODD so, agricultural pu
suits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturai
,ands are fully available, and the sto'
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra coun
are conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts al
Apache, Black Range, Cuchillo Negl
Kingston, Hermosa. Anlmas, I'LL
borough, Percha and Lake Valley.