The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1896-09-25
Sierra County.
Taken From t~atistics Compiled by the
Pqreau OF Immigration).

Sierra county Is situated IN u
central New Mexico, being bounded ON
the north and east by S0cOrrO 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. Ii not
very large in extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north to south, u
and about the same from east to west,
2,376 square miles, the county has a di-
versided topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from north
to south, along the east bank of the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristobal and
Caballo) aud 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
only 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
how southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds OF these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
ElevatiOnsEn the northern part Of the
county, vary from 1854 (Fest's Ferry
to SIT Alamosal, $50 canada Ala
mlsal, to 8,O45 Nelrs Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1900 Trio
Grande, above Rinconb to 1859 Labove
Mutt station, 1924 [HllISbOroughb l.
49l [Berrende spring., TO 1914 Hen
bricks Peaki. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO [bel0w Lava station,
TO 1872 feet above Grama. in a distance
of forty-elght miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part Of the
country, and that water eau be obtain
ed by sinking tubular wells, there IS no
douOt. As a proof that water exists,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins well may be men
tioned. The Atchisou, 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 n%Ortherly
branch of 13 miles.
Stage lines connect the country across
che Rio Grande, starting from Engie
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Falrview and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to, Hillsborough,
Kingston, PearcLa CITY and Hermosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
Engle, via Cuchlllo 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, Aiamosa creek, having a south
aasterly course, with AlamOsa Month
cello] 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, 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, Alngston ana Hills
borough.
The county is well divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land en-
hracing a considerable section of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
IL followed; wherever openings in the
valleys Of the different afluents afford
room enough odo 50, agricultural pur
quits are followed.
Being well watered, the p~asturage
lands are fully available. and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests Of Sierra county
are conferred in the mines.
Tue principal mining districts are:
Apache, Black Range, Cuchillo Negro,
Kingston, Hermosa, Animas, Hills
loronrh parch4 and Lake Valley.