The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-05-28
Sierra County.

Sierra county is situated in sOutl
central New Mexico, being bounded Or
She north and east 10y SOcOrro 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 f0I
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
aud about the same from east to- west
1915 square miles, the county has Il di-
versiied 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 Fla CristObal and
Caballo) aud at their western base that
river, leaving about one-third of the
area of the county Oh the eastern
bank. GA 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, bat 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 low
westward into the Bio Gi,a, all streams
dow southeast, iuto the Rio Grande.
The beds Of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
Che plains.
Elevations, in the northern part of the
county, vary from 1,4Sl (FestS Ferry
80 5,l77 Alamosal, 6,54o LCtnada Ala
m)sal, to S,06 Nails Pass, from tn
Rio Gfande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1000 Trio
Crande, above Rinconl, to 1859 Labove
Mutt stationl, 5,224 [tIillSboroughb l.
l94 [Berrenda spring., to 1914 Hen
bricks Peak. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO [below Lava statton],
TO 1872 feet above Grama, in "A distance
. of forty-eight miles. There are springs
scattered over 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,
Che railroad we'll, 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 1t
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a northerly
branch Of Is miles.
Stage lines connective country across
the Rio Grande. starting from EngIe
station, to Cuchillo Negro Chloride,
Eairview and Grafton, or i'll the south
from Lake Valley to Hillsborough'
Kingston, Pearcha City and hermosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
Eugle, via CuchillO Negro.
tThe 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
ceIlol 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 Ner 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
valley, mesa and mountain land en-
braciug a considerable section of the
Rio rande valley. where agriculture
IS followed; wherever openings in the
valleys Of the different aflueGts afford
room enough TODD 50, agricultural pur
suits are followed.
Beng well Watered, the pasturage
lands are fully available. and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests Of Sierra county
are conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts are: