The Black range., 1896-08-14
Sierra County.

fTaken From tatistics Compiled by the
Eureau Of ImmigratiOnl.
Sierra county is situated in south
central New Mexico. being bounded On
the north and east by SocorrO county
out Of which it was mainly taken);
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,
.2,376 square miles, the county has di-
versifed topography. In the extreme
east are large plans; then asystem of
mountain ranges, running from north
80 south, along the east bank of the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa CristObal and
Eaballo) and at their western base that
river, leaving about one-third of the
area of the county on the eastern
6ank. 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 chat 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 few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which aow
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
Aow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ang their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
ElevatiOns,En the northern part Of the
county, vary from 1,4Sl (Fests Ferry
TO 5,l77 Alamosal, $50 Canada Ala
mosal, to S,Ol5 NelIs Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4,000 Rio
Grande, above RincOnl, to 1859 laboye
Mutt stationl. 1924 [HillsboroughI, T.
494 [ [Berrenda springl, to 1874 Hen
bricks Peak. On the east side of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 1920 below Lava stationb
to 4,342 feet above GramP, in distance
of forty-elght 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
doubt. AS proof that water exists,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
Iformerly Martins well may be men
stoned. The AtchisoD, Topeka Il 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 10 miles.
Stage lines connect the country across
Che Rio Grande, starting from EngIe
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or III the south
from Lake Valley to, Hillsborough,
Kingston, Pearcha City .and herm0sa
which latter, also. can be reached from
Engle, via CuchilIo Negro,
Tue 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 south
easterly course, with Alamosa Monti-
lcello] the principal. town.
Rio. .Cuchillo Negro its upper course
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
al, Dry and Chloride creeks apd South
Fork. There are, in the Range, the
following.tow Grafton, Fairview,
Chloride aud sHermoSa. Cuchlllo Ne
gro is in the 10 Ner valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are of the same origin and
Che same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The county is we'll 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 afiuents afford
goom enough to do 50, 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
ere centered in the mines.
The principal mining districts are:
A ,,.Io plaoly popuo Nuph,lIn Npyrn |