The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-07-30
SIERRA COUNTY.

eureau OF lmnigrsfion)
Sierra county is situated in south
central New Mexico. being bounded On
the north and east by S9corro county
out OF which it was mainly takep)i
on the south by DOna Ana county and
on the westby rant and SOcOrro com
ties. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary for
as miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. If'not
very large in extent averaging City
four miles from north to south, and
aud About the same from east to west,
9,S7e square miles, the county has a di-
Hersiied topography. In the extreme
cast 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 ou 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. slipping, 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
fow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The bedg of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep Into
ehe plains.
= Elevations, III the northern part OF he
county, vary from 1,4S4 (Fests Ferry
TO 5,177 Alamosal. e,54O Canada Ala
mosal, to 8,Oi5 Nell's Pass, from the
Rio Graude, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1900 lklo
Grande, aboye Rinconl, to4,6S9i labove
Mutt stationl, 1924 [Hillsboroughl
I94 TBerrenda spring., to 1874 lilen-
bricks Peak. On the east side Of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
oend from APO [below Lava station,
90 1912 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty.elght miles. There are springs
F" scattered over this eastern part OF the
country, and that water can be OBTAIN
cd b ysinking tubular wells, there is no
doubt. As a proof that water exists,
che railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins we'll may be men
TONED. The Atehison, Topeka q Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
OF this part of the country, skirtlng u
also around its southern limits. and
making connection, as Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a rortherly
branch of 1S miles.
aStagelines connect the country across
the. Rio Grande. starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairyiew and Grafton, orin the south
from Lake Valley to Hillsborough,
Kingston, Pearcha CITY and hermosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
Ehgle, via Cuchillo Negro,
THE western part of the county is
we'll watered by creeks and streams.
ii the northwest corner, eight or nine
creeks empty into the GiIa, on the
west side of the Black Range. on the
east side are. heading in the Black
Range, Alamosa creek, having a south
casterly course, with Alamosa Mont
cellol the principal town.
eRio, 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, Fairyiews
Chloride and Hermosa, CdchiIio Nc
gro is in the 10 Ser valley.
Z Rio Palomas, Rio SetO and Rio Ami
mas creeks are Of the same origin and
6he same general course.
Rio Fercha waters, with several
heads, Percha City, Kingston aud Hills
borough.
The county is well divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land EN-
bracing a considerable section of The
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
ID followed; wherever openings in The
valleys Of Tue different a%flnenLs afford
COON enough TODD SO, agricultural pur
suits are followed.
lBelng we'll w,.terei, tie pasturage
lands are fully available. and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
ere conferred in the mines.
sTbe principal mining districts are.