Near Deming in Luna County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Cathay Williams
(c1850 Death Date Unknown)
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 5, 2010
1. Cathay Williams Marker
Born into slavery, Cathay was liberated in 1861 and worked as a cook for the Union army during the Civil War. In 1866 she enlisted in the U.S. Army as Private William Cathey serving with the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Cummings and Fort Bayard until 1868. She is the only documented woman to serve as an enlisted soldier in the Regular U.S. Army during the 19th century.
New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative
New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative The New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative was founded in 2005 by members of the New Mexico Women's Forum in a statewide effort to recognize women's contributions to New Mexico history on the state's Official Scenic Historic Markers. The Initiative ensures that women's diverse histories will be remembered and told, and will inspire and provide a guide for future generations. The 2006 Legislature funded the project.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the Buffalo Soldiers, and the
this page online
Location. 32° 21.967′ N, 107° 37.017′ W. Marker has been damaged. Marker is near Deming, New Mexico, in Luna County. It is on State Road 26 at milepost 10.2, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Deming NM 88030, 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, 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 11 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Deming (approx. 10.2 miles away); Mary Ann Deming Crocker (approx. 10.3 miles away); A Silver Spike was Driven (approx. 10.3 miles away); Deming Armory (approx. 10.7 miles away); Lest We Forget (approx. 10.7 miles away); Seamon Field House (approx. 10.7 miles away); Pearl Harbor Memorial (approx. 10.7 miles away); Deming Main U.S. Post Office
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 5, 2010
2. Rear of Cathay Williams Marker
Additional commentary.
1. Green or Brown sign?
I live near the Cathay Williams historical marker at Deming, NM. The database and everything I can find online states that the sign is brown. But it is not, it is in fact green and quite defaced including a bullet hole. I'd be happy to share a recent photo I took of the marker. Anyone out there able to enlighten me about the color difference? Thanks for your time.
Editor's response: The metal sheet between the two poles is nothing more than an NMDOT interstate highway sign in brown paint and those brown ones go back to green in the relentless New Mexico sun if they are not periodically replaced.
— Submitted May 10, 2026, by Pamm Reynolds of Deming, New Mexico.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 5, 2010
3. Cathay Williams Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,163 times since then and 128 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 19, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
