The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-11-22
Sierra County.

4S~N ~ AmuiBfalAOnl-
Sierra county is situated in south
centrl New Mexico, being bounded On
the north aud east by Socorro county
out OF whicd it was mainly taken)
On the south by Dcna Ana county and
On the west by rant aud Socorro coun-
Ties. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary for
ts miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. If not
very large in extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north 10 south, and
and about the same from east 10 west,
1876 square miles, the county has q di-
yersided topography. In the extreme
east art large PLAINS; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from north
to south, along the east bank of the
Rio Graude Sierra Fa Cristobal and
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
rlpted 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
w-esternmest portion. Slipping, not
only from. north to south, but also
frem the northeast to southwest, the
Arainageis well defined. With the ex-
ception of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which flow
westward into the Rio Gi!a, all streams
dow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
Elevations, n the northern part of the
county, vary from 1881 (Fest's Ferry
to 5,l77 Alamosal. 6.540 canada Ala
mosal, to S,O45 NelT's Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4,Oc0 Trio
Grande, above Rinconl, to 1859 [above
Mutt stationl, 1924 [HillsborOughl, Il
494 [Berrenda spring., to 1914 Hen
bricks Peak. On the east side of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des
cend from 4.72O below Lava stationS,
to 4yS42 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty-elght miles. There are springs
scattered owe this eastern part OF the
country, and that water a 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
the Rio Grande. starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro. Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to Hillsborough,
Kingston, PearehS City and hermosa
Y F-.A
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
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. Cpchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 Wer valley.
Rio PalOmas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
creeks are of the same origin and
The same general course. I
Rio Percha waters, with several
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The county is well divided into the
mesa and mountain land en-
Dracing a considerable section of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
S i followed; wherever openings in the
of the different aflueDts afford
Dom enough TODD SO, agricultural pur
suits 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
re centered in the mines.
The principal mining districts are:
Black Range, Cuchillo Negro.