The Black range., 1896-05-29
Sierra County.

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 aud 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 a di-
versi6ed topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then system 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
river, leaving about one-third of the
area of the county on the eastern
bank. 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 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-
ceptiou of few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which hoW
westward into the Rio Gi!a, all streams
aow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
ElevatiOnsIin the northern part of the
county, vary from 1884 (Fests Ferry
to 5,l77 Alamosal, 6,540 canada Ala
mosal, to S,04j NeIps Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4,0C0 Rio
Grande, aboye Rinconl to4,6S9 [above
Mutt stationl. 1924 Hillsboroughl, u
494 [Berrenda spring., to 1874 Hen
bricks Peakl. On the east side of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4,72O [below Lava stationl,
to 4.342 feet above Grama. in distance
OF forty-eight 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 Il proof that water exists,
che 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 Is miles.
Stage lines connect the country across
the Rio Grande, starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to, Hillsborough,
Kingston, Pearcha City and Eermosa
which latter, also. can be reached from
Engle, via Cuchillo 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, beading in the Black
Range, AlamOsa creek, having south
easterly course, with Alamosa [Monti-
celo] 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 over valley.
Rio Pal0mas, 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. Kingston and Hills
borough.
becounty is well divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land en-
bracing considerable section of the
Rio rande valley; where agriculture
IS followed; wherever openings in the
valleys of the different afllaents afford
room enough todo so, 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:
Apache, Black Range, Cuchlllo Negro,
Kingston, IIerlnosa, Animas, Hills
Borough, Percha and Lake Valley.