The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1896-04-10
s7na County.

Sierra county is situated in soutl
central New Mexico, being bounded OI
the north and east by SOcorro county
out OF which it was mainly taken)
on the south by Dona Ana county ant
on the west by ran and Socorroc oun
ties. The principal meridian Of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary. fol
4s Tnss Tins summit of TIE Blacs
tango is the western limit. Ii moi
very large in extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north to south. and
and about the same from east to west
2,S76 square miles, the county has a di'
versi6ed topography. In the extreme
east are large plans; 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
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
flow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
Elevations, jim the northern part of the
county, vary from i,4s4 Fest's Ferry
10 5,l77 Alamosa]. $50 canada Ala
ID ,sal, to S,045 Nails Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4.0cO Trio
Grande, above Rinconl, to 1850 Labove
Mutt station 1924 [Hillsborough, l.
494 [Berrenda spring., to 1914 Hen
bricks Peak. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO below Lava stationL
to 4.342 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty-eight miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF the
country, and that water can be obtain
ed bysiuking tubular wells. there is no
doubt. AS a proof that water exists,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins we'll may be men
toned. The Atcbison, Topeka u 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 ID miles.
Stage lines connectthe 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 hermosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
via CuchiIlo 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, Alamosa creek, having a south
easterly course, with Alamosa Month
cellol 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, iii the Range, the
following towns: Grafton, Fairview,
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchi!lo Ne
gro is in the 10 yer 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, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The county is well divided into the
mesa and mountain land en-
Dracing a considerable section of the
Rio rInde valley, where agriculture
S followed; wherever openings in the
of the different afinents afford
Dom enough t odo 50, agricultural pur
,uits are followed,
? Beng well watered, the pastnrage
ands are fully available, and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
re centered in the mines.
The principal mining districts are:
Apache. Black Range, Cuchillo Negro,
Kingston, Hermosa. Animas, Hills
'Orough, Percha and Lake Valley. !
The center of Apache mining dis !