The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-06-18
Sierra County.

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Sierra county is situated in sOutt
central New Mexico, being bounded VI
Che north and east by Socorro county
cut OF which 1t was mainly taken)
on the south by Dona Ana county an6
On the west by rant and SocOrro cOun
ties, The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary fol
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
and about the same from east to west,
$3.50 square miles, the county has a di-
yersided topography. In the extreme
cast are large plains; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from north
30 south, along the east bank OF the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristobal and
Caballo) and at their western base ina
yiver, leaving about one-third of the
area of the county on the eastern
bank. On the west side plains. inter
EupteG 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. 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
most northwest corner, which HOW
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
aow 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 1854 (Fest's Ferry
80 5,l77 Alamosal. 6,540 canada Ala
mosal, to S,045 Nelps Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4,OcO lRlo
Grande, above Rinconl, to 1889 Laboye
Mutt stationL 1924 [Hillsborogghl, l.
494 GBerrenda spring., to 1914 Hen
bricks Peakl. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
aend from ALTO below Lava statlonI,
to 1912 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty-elght miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF inc
country, and that water can be obtain
ed b. sinking tubular wells, there Is no
doubt. As a proof that water exists,
she railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins WE'LL may be men
tioned. The Atchison, Topeka u Santa
re 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 10 miles.
Stage lines connectt the 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
Fngle, via Cuchillo Negro.
The western part of the county is
we'll 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 Alam0sa [Monti-
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper course
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
81, Dry and ChlOride creeks and South
Fork. There are, in the Range, the
following towns: Grafton, Eairyiew,
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the lover valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are OF the same origin and
The same general course.
Rio Hercha waters, with several
heads, Pereha City, Kingston aud Hills
borough.
The Countyis well divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land en-
braoipg a considerable section of the
Rio EaEde valley, where agriculture
is followed wherever openings in the
valleys Of the different ati1uentS afford
room enough TODD SO, 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
gre centered in the mines.
Ehe principal mining districts are:
Apache. Black Range, Cuchlllo Negro,
AlngSton, Hermosa, Apimas, Hills
PoFough, PeFcha and Lake Valley.