The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-03-12
Sierra County.

Taken From Statistics Compiled ~ the
Ruresu % Immisrationl.
Sierra county is situated in south
central New Mexico. being bounded On
the north and east by S1corrO county
out Of yhich it vas mainly taken)
on the south by Dena Ana county and
On tho w9st by mt and SocOrrO cOun'
ties. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary for
IS miles. Tue summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. II not
very large in extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north to south, and
and about the same from east 10 west,
1876 square miles, the county has u di-
Yersiied 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 G rande Sierra Fa Cristobal and
Caballol 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 p"rominences
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
westernmOst portion. Sloplng. 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
nost northwest corner, which flow
westward into the Rio CHA, all streams
dow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
she plains.
Elevations, in the northern part of the
county, vary from 1881 (FesL'5 Ferry
to E,l77 AlamoSal, $40 canada Ala,
mosal, to 8,Olj Nails PISS, from tn e
Rio Graude, to the western boundary
In the northern part from l,0CO lRio
Grande, above RincOnl, to4,GS9 Lahove
Mutt station, 5,224 [Hillsboroughb l.
494 [Berrenda spring., to 1914 Ltien-
bricks Peak, On the east side Of the
Rlo Grande, the plains gradually deS-
cend from APO [below Lava stationl,
to 4,342 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 he obtain
ed by sinking tubular wells, there IS no
doubt. AS il proof that water exists,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins well may be men
toned. The Atchison, Topeka s. Santa
Ee road run5 through the entire length
of this part of the country, skirting it
also around It's southern limits, and
making eonEection, at Mutt station
with Lake Vallsy, by u northerll
branch of ID miles.
Stage lines connectthe country acros:
the Rio Grande, starting from Engi'
station, to Cuchlllo Negro, Chloride
Fairview and Grafton, or in the soutl
from Lake Valley to Hiils6orough
Kingston, Pearcha CITY and hermoSi
which latter, also, can be reached from
Engle, via Cuehillo Negro,
The western part Of the county
we'll watered by creeks and streams
IN the north west corner, eight or min
creeks empty into the ella, on tn
westside of the Black Range. On tn
east side are, heading in the Blac'
Range, Alamosa creek, having a sout
easterly course, with AlamOsa MONT
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper cours
Is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Mine
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and Sout
Fork. There are, in the Range, tn
following towns: Grafton, FairvieN
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 yer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio An.
mas creeks are Of the same origin an
the same general course.
Bio Percha waters, with severa
beads, Percha City, Kingston and Hill
borough.
The county is well divided into th
valley, mesa and mountain land em
bracing a considerable section Of tn
Rio rande valley, where agricultur
is followed; wherever openings in tn
valleys of the different afluents afforO
room enough TODD so, agricultural pur
quits are followed.
Being we'll watered. the pasturag,
lands are fully available, and the stool
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra count,
are conferred i'm The mines