The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1896-01-03
Sierra County.

Taken From t~atistles Compiled by the o
Burean Of ImmigrAtionl. n
Sierra county is situated In south .
central New Mexico, being bounded On
the north and east 10y SOcorro county i
out OF which it was mainly t~aken); a
on the south by Dona Ana county ana
on the west by rant and Socorro coun- 7
ties. The principal meridian OF New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary Tor !
az miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. III not
very large in extent, averaging htty-
four miles from north TO south, ana
and about the same from east TO west
2,S76 square miles, the county has a oil
yersifed topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asysteln Oh
mountain ranges, running from north
10 south, along the east bank OF the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristobal n
Caballo) and at their western base thai
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 mites
while finally that range occupies the
westernmost portion. Sloplng' 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 no"
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
dow southeast, into the RIO Grahde'
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep mo
lhe plains.
Elevations,I in the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1,484 (Fests Ferry
to SIT Alanosal, $50 canada Ala
mosal, TO 1915 Nelrs Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western s%bouudary
IN the northern part from 4,OcO LKlc
Grande, above Rinconl, to4,6o9 laooVt
Mutt stationl, 1924 [Hillsboroughl, 4
494 [Berrenda sprlngl' to 1874 lhen'
bricks Peakl. On the east side OF th'
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des
cend from ALTO [below Lava statlonl
10 1912 feet above Grama. in a distance
of forty eight miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF IN
country, and that water can be OBTAIN
ed by sinking tubular wells, there IS ut
doubt. AS a proof that water exists
the railroad we'll, at Upham station
formerly Martins we'll may be men
toned. The Atchison, Topeka q SAINT
Fe road runs through the entire lengtl
of this part of the country, sklrtihg
also around its southern limits, ant
making connection, at Mutt station
with Lake Valley, by a mortimer
branch of 13 miles.
Stage lines connectthe country acros
the Rio Grande, starting from Eng
station. to Cuchillo Negro. Chlorld'
Fairyiew and Grafton, or in the sout
from Lake Valley to HillsborougI
Kingston. PeaecAa City and hermos
which latter, also, can be reached 1ro'
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro
The western part of the county
we'll watered by creeks and stream
In the northwest corner, eight or I'LL
creeks empty into the Glia' on VI
west side Of the Black Range. On u
east side are, heading in the Bla'
Range, Alamosa creek, having a sou
easterly course, with Alamosa mon
cellol the principal, town
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper couf
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Min
al. Dry and Chloride creeks and Sou
Fork. There are, in the Range, I
following towns: Grafton, FalrVle
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo n
gro is in the 10 Eer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio a.
mas creeks are of the same origin a
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with seVe'
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Iii
borough.
The county is well divided into t
valley, mesa and mountain lane e
bracing a considerable section OF I
Rio rande valley, where agricultl
is followed; wherever openings in
valleys of the different afluents aft
room enough TODD 50, agricultural p
suits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasture
lands are fully available. and the ste
interests arc in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra coul
are conferred in the mines.
u .nl .niOipr dicfrinfG q