The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-06-11
Sierra County.

Bureau Of Immigration).
" Sierra county is situated in south
central New Mexico, being bounded On
the north aud east by SOc0rro county
out Of which it WAS mainly takenl F;
f6nthe south by Dona Ana county and
on the west by rant aud SOeOrro 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
end about the same from east to west,
s,37G square miles, the county has a di-
Yersifed 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
fupted here and there by prOmlnences
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
Cow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep mo
the plains.
Elevations, in the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1884 (Fests Ferry
6o6,l77 Alamosal, G,54O Canada Ala
mosal, to S,OG NelI's Pass, from the
Bio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1900 lhlo
Grande, above Rinconl, tO4,6S9 LaboVe
Mutt stationl, SPA [IillsboroughI, l.
404 TBerrenda 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 1872 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty-elght miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part of the
country, and that water can be obtain
ed bysinking tubular wells, there is no
doubt. AS a 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 1t
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a norlherly
branch Of - miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
the Rio Grapde. starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
FairView and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to lIillsborough,
Kingston, Pearcha City and Hermosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
Engle, via CuchillO Negro.
The western part of the county is
well watered by creeks and streams.
III 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, Alanosa creek, having a south
eaSterly course, with Alamosa LMonti-
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, in the Range, the
following towns: Grafton, Fairview,
Chloride and HermOSa. CuchillO Mel
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-
braCing 4 considerable section Of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
is followed, wherever openings i'll the
valleys of the different afluents afford
room enough TODD 50, agricultural pur
quits 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 centeIed III the mines.
THE principal mining districts are:
Apache, Black Range, CuclIllo Negro,
Kingston, Hernosa, Animas. fills