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<br />f <br /> <br />settler. In the 1870's the Santa Fe and Rio Grande railroad came to <br />the area, increasing and expanding settlement throughout the County. <br /> <br />The railroads permitted the extensive development of coal in the Raton <br /> <br />Bas in . <br /> <br />Coal became the backbone of the County's economy, and the County's <br /> <br />population and economic fortunes rose and fell with coal production. <br /> <br /> <br />The county's population reached a peak of 39,000 in 1920 (U.S. census) <br /> <br /> <br />and haa since steadily declined. With ap,riculture continuing to be an <br /> <br /> <br />important economic activity, the county appears to have stabilized around <br /> <br />its current population level of around 15,700 (1970 census). <br />Many of the small villages and towns near Trinidad and the rural <br /> <br />areas were originally settled around old coal camp areas. Generally, <br /> <br />these areas are now characterized by an old population, poor to very <br /> <br />poor housing conditions, low housing values, and low incomes. Many <br /> <br />of these old coal mining communities are in a deteriorated state, <br /> <br />among the worst in the county. <br /> <br />10. Aesthetic Considerations. The evaluation of intangible <br />qualities is a personal value and is, therefore, subjective, differing <br />as to the experiences and sensitivity of each individual. As such, <br /> <br />the physical featurea that characterize the project area will correspond- <br /> <br />ingly differ in aesthetic appeal. <br />It is thought that the general setting of the area, a landscape <br /> <br />characterized by a river valley and wooded foothills, surrounded by <br /> <br />impressive natural scenic features like the eu1ebra Mountain Range, <br /> <br />Spanish Peaks, and nearby Fishers Peak, is of very desirable aesthetic <br />and scenic quality. <br /> <br />n-34 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br />