| n
March 9, 1916, soldiers led by Gen. Francisco "Pancho" Villa attacked
the military camp at the sleepy border town of Columbus, New Mexico.
Gate Hours
24 hours
Park Manager
Brian Houltin
(505) 531-2711
brian.houltin@state.nm.us
Address
P.O. Box 450
Columbus, NM 88029
Land
60 acres |
This was the only armed invasion of the
continental U. S. since 1812. Pancho Villa State Park has extensive historical
exhibits depicting this raid and the U.S. Army's subsequent punitive expedition
into Mexico.
Travel Through Time
From Camp Furlong, General "Black Jack" Pershing, who would later
command the Allied forces of World War I, pursued Pancho Villa into Mexico. His
11-month pursuit led 10,000 U.S. soldiers 400 miles into Mexico, but failed to
capture Villa. Several buildings dating from the time of Villa's raid still
stand in Columbus. The U.S. Customs House, built in 1902, serves as the park's
visitor center.
Getting There
Pancho Villa State Park is located in the village of Columbus, 35 miles south of
Deming via NM 11.
From El Paso, take Exit 8 off
I-10. Travel west 8 miles to State Highway 9, and then 59 miles to Columbus.
|
Facilities |
Activities |
|
Visitor Center |
Camping |
|
Group Shelter |
Picnicking |
|
Developed Sites (62) |
Experiencing History |
|
Electric Sites (62) |
Wildlife Viewing |
|
RV Dump Station |
Hiking |
|
Restrooms/Showers |
Interpretive Exhibits |
|
Playground |
Historic Buildings |
|
