The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1896-02-28
Sierra County,

F(faken From tatisucs Compiled by tn
Iresu Of Immigration).
Sierra county is situated in soutl
central New Mexico, being bounded u
the north and east by SOcorrO count!
out of which it was mainly taken)
on the south by Dona Ana county anC
on the west by rant and SOcorro coun
ties. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary fol
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,
2,37G square miles, the county has a di-
Yersiied 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) and at their western base that
riyer, 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 flow
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
dow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are w0rn deep into
the plains.
Elevations j n the northern part Of the
county, vary from 1854 Fest's Ferry
to Sill Alamosal, 6,54) canada Ala
)3sl, I'd 8,Oi5 N8(rs Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
IN the northern part from 4,0c0 Trio
Grande, above Rinconl, to 4,6s9 Laboye
Mutt stationl, 1924 [Hillsboroughh l.
494 [Berrenda spring., to 1874 Hen
bricks Peak. On the east side of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO [below Lava stationl
to 1912 feet above Grama, in a distance
OF forty-elght miles. There are springs
scattered wei 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 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 a %northerly
branch Of 10 miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
he Rio Grande, starting from EngIe
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or in the south
rom Lake Valley to, Hillsborough,
kingston, Pearcha City and Hermosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
via Cuchillo Negro,
The western part of the county is
veil watered by creeks and streams.
n the northwest corner, eight or nine
reeks empty into the ella, on the
vest side of the Black Range. On the
asst side are, heading in the Black
tange, Alamosa creek, having a south
course, with Alamosa MONT
ellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper course
formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
|, Dry and Chloride creeks and south
'ork. There are, in the Range, the
blowing towns; Grafton, Fairview,
Horde and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
70 is in the 10 yer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio SecO and Rio Ami $
las creeks are Of the same origin and
he same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
sads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
The county is well divided into the
mesa and mountain land en-
'acing a considerable section of the
rInde valley, where agriculture
followed; wherever openings in the
of the different afluents afford
om enough TODD so, agricultural pur
its are followed. 3
well watered, the ~pasturage
lds are fully available. and the stock
.terests are in good condition. !
The main interests of Sierra county
o conferred in the mines,
The principal mining districts are: q
Black Range, CuchIllo Negro, %,