The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1896-01-24
Sierra County.

fTaken From t~atistics Compiled by the !
Bureau Of Immigration). ,
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); 4,
on the south by Dona Ana county ana
on the west by rant and Socorro coun-
ties. The principal meridian OF New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary Tor
4s miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. Ii not
very large in extent, averaging ntty-
four miles from north TO south, ana
and about the same from east TO wesi,
2,376 square miles, the county has a d.
versiied topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem Oh
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-
rupted 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
univ from north to south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, the
drainage is well defined. With the ex-
ception of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which How
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
flow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep INT
the plains.
Eleyations,Hn the northern part of the
county, vary from 1,4S4 (Fests Ferry
to 5,l77 Alamosal. 6,54O canada Ala
m,34l, 90 S,)tj Nell's Pass. from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4,OcO lRic
Grande, above Rinconl to 4,6S9 [above
Mutt stationl. 1924 [Hillsboroughl, 4
494 [Berrenda spring.. to 1874 Then
bricks Peak. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually DIES
cend from 4.72O [below Lava s%tatlonJ
to 4,S42 feet above Grama, in a distanc'
of forty-elght miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF Tn
country, and that water can be OBTAIN
ed By sinking tubular wells, there is III
doubt. AS proof that water exists
the railroad we'll, at Upham statlof
formerly Martins WE'LL may be meI
TONED. The Atchison, Topeka u SAINT
Fe road runs through the entire lengt
of this part of the country, sklrtlhg
also around its southern limits, an
making connection, at Mutt statlol
with Lake Valley, by a northern
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines connectthe country aero
the Rio Grande. starting from Eng
station, to Cuchillo Negro. Chlorld
Fairview and Grafton, or in the sou
from Lake Valley to Hillsboroug
Kingston, Pearcha City and hermo
which latter, also. can be reached ire
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro
The western part of the county
well watered by creeks and STREAM
In the northwest corner, eight or nj
creeks empty into the ella, on I
west side of the Black Range. On
east side are, heading in the Bla
Range, Alamosa creek, having a sol
easterly course, with Alamosa mon
cello] the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper cou
Il. formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Mi
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and SOL
Fork. There are, in the Range,
following towns: Grafton, FalrVi'
Chloride and Herrqosa. Cuchillo !
gro is in the 10 Ser valley. j..
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio a
mas creeks are of the same origin
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with sew
heads, Percha City, Kingston and II
borough.
Thecounty is we'll divided into
valley, mesa and mountain land
bracing a considerable section OF
Rio rande valley, where agrlcult
is followed; wherever openings IN
valleys of the different afiuents All
room enough to do 50, agricultural |
quits are followed.
Being we'll watered. the pastur
lands are fully available, and the ST
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra cou
are conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts