Columbus in Luna County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Pancho Villa State Park

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010

1. Pancho Villa State Park Marker

Inscription.

Pancho Villa State Park commemorates the historic Columbus Raid of 1916. Ruins of Camp Furlong, headquarters for General John Pershing's expeditionary force, still exist at the park. The old Columbus Customs Service building has been restored to house exhibits about the raid and Pershing's Punitive Expedition into Mexico in pursuit of Pancho Villa and his raiders. Camping/picnicking sites are scattered throughout a beautiful desert botanical garden.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 31° 49.587′ N, 107° 38.44′ W. Marker is in Columbus, New Mexico, in Luna County. It can be reached from South Pancho Villa Loop. The marker is in Pancho Villa State Park on the eastern side near Highway 11. 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 North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

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the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Gadsden Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Last Hostile Action by Foreign Troops (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Grease Rack (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); United States Custom House (about 600 feet away); 1st Military Airbase (about 600 feet away); Camp at Columbus (about 600 feet away); Pershing's Review Stand (about 600 feet away); In Memory of Citizens Killed / In Memory of Thirteenth Cavalry (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Pancho Villa State Park (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Regarding Pancho Villa State Park. Much speculation abounds concerning General Villa's motivation behind the Columbus raid. One theory suggests it was an act of retaliation. Embroiled in a civil war, Mexico searched for leadership. A dispute broke out between Pancho Villa and Venustiano Carranza when Villa refused to acknowledge the authority of the new president, Carranza.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010

2. Pancho Villa State Park Marker

To add insult to injury, President Wilson aided Carranza by allowing Mexican troops to be transported on the El Paso- Southwestern Railroad through Texas and New Mexico to a campaign in Mexico. These additional troops helped defeat Villa and his army in the battle of Agua Prieta, across from Douglas, Arizona on November 1, 1915. Possibly the attack on Columbus occurred as retaliation for the shipment of troops, since the village had an El Paso - Southwestern depot. Amazingly enough however, the depot only sustained light damage from flying bullets.

Also see . . . A Collection of Photos of Pancho Villa. (Submitted on November 12, 2010.)

Rear of Pancho Villa State Park Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010

3. Rear of Pancho Villa State Park Marker

The Old Columbus Customs Service Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 3, 2010

4. The Old Columbus Customs Service Building

Pancho Villa State Park Visitor Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner

5. Pancho Villa State Park Visitor Center

Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,286 times since then and 36 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. 5. submitted on November 13, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.