The Black range., 1895-10-11
Sierra County.


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 takenl; ;
on the south by DOna Ana county and
on the west by rant and Socorro cOun-
ties. The principal meridian Of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary for
IS miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. If not
very large in extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north TO south. and
and about the same from east to west
2,S75 square miles, the county has q di-
versifed topography. In the extreme
east are large plans; then system Of
mountain ranges. running from north
to south, along the east bank of the
Rio Grande 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-
Eupted 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
fTom the northeast to southwest, the
drainage is well defined. With the ex-
ception of few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which how
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
Cow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams. approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
Elevations,in the northern part of the
county, vary from 1884 (Fests Ferry
to 5,l77 AlamoSal, 6,54O canada Ala
mosal, to S,O45 Nell'S Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4,OcO Rio
Grande, above Rincon], to 1859 [aboVe
Mutt stationI, 1924 [Hillsboroughl, l.
s94 [Berrenda sprlngl, to 1914 Hen
drick's Peak. On the east side of the
BIO Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4,720 [belOw Lava stationl,
to 4,342 feet above Grama, in distance
of forty eight miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF the
country, and that water can be obtain
ed By sinking tubular wells, there is no
donbt. AS proof that water exists,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins well 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 northerly
branch of 13 miles.
Stage lines connect 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, Pearcha City and hernosa
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 Gila, 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 lMOnti-
cellol the prinoipalltown.
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. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 ger 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 en-
bracing a considerable section of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
Is followed; wherever openings in the
valleys of the different affiuents afford
room enough todO so, agricultural pur
quits 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
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
trict is Chloride; in Chloride gulch
~ l.