The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-08-23
Sierra County.

Taken Frosn t~atisiics Compiled by the
Barean Of Immigraton).
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 takenJ;
on the south by Dena Ana county and
on the wsstb by rant and SocorrO eoun-
ties. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms lis eastern boundary for
IS mics. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. II not
very large IN extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north to south, and
and about the same from east to west,
1876 square miles, the county has a d.
versided topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from north
20 south, along the east bank of the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristobal aud
Caballo) and at their western base that
river, leaving about one third of the
area Of the county on the eastern
bank. On the west side plains. inter
tupted here and there 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. Sloping, not
only from north TO south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, the
drainage is well defined. With the ex-
ception Of q few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which how
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
dow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
ElevationsF jim the northern part of the
county, vary from .1,4S4 TESTS Ferry
to SIT Alamosal, 6,54O canada Ala
mosal, to S,04j Nells Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1000 Trio
Grande, above RincOnl, to 4,6S9 [above
Mutt stationl, 1924 [Hillsboroughl, Il
g94 [Berrenda spring., to 1874 Hen
bricks Peak. On the east side of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO below Lava stationb
to 4.342 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty-elght miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF the
country, and that water a be obtain
ed bysinking 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 81 Santa
Fe road run 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 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 Eiermosa
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 ~principalitown.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper course
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and South
Fork. There are, in 1.-The Range, the
following towns: Grafton, Fairview,
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is In the 10 yer valley.
Rio 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 countyis well divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land N
Bracing a considerable section of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
is followed; wherever openings in the
valleys of the different afluents afford
room enough TODD so, agricultural pur
suits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturage
lands are fully available. and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
=. 49, .s-zr