Columbus in Luna County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Columbus
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010
1. Columbus Marker
Columbus was founded in 1891 as a U.S./Mexico border station but eventually coalesced around the railroad station three miles to the north in 1903. The areas history is tied to a March 9, 1916, raid on Columbus by Mexican revolutionary leader Francisco Pancho" Villa. President Woodrow Wilson dispatched General John J. Pershing and 10,000 troops into Mexico to pursue Villa. This punitive expedition ultimately failed.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Wars, Non-US. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #28 Woodrow Wilson series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1916.
Location. 31° 49.163′ N, 107° 38.27′ W. Marker is in Columbus, New Mexico, in Luna County. It is on State Road 11 at milepost 2.5, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus NM 88029, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest New Mexico. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1st Military Airbase (approx. 0.4 miles away); The First Grease Rack (approx. half a mile away); Last Hostile Action by Foreign Troops (approx. half a mile away); Pancho Villa State Park (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Pancho Villa State Park (approx. half a mile away); Pancho Villas Raid (approx. half a mile away); Camp at Columbus (approx. 0.6 miles away); In Memory of Citizens Killed / In Memory of Thirteenth Cavalry (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010
2. Rear of Columbus Marker
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010
3. Columbus Marker
View north along highway 11.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010
4. Columbus Railroad Station
Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 862 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 10, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
