COLUMBUS

NAME: Columbus
COUNTY: Luna
ROADS: 2WD
GRID #(see map): 8
CLIMATE: Mild winter, warm summer
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Spring, winter, fall
COMMENTS: Now A State Park
REMAINS: Much Remains
The town began as a border station opposite Palomas, Chihuahua, Mexico about 1890. It became famous and forever took its place in history on Thursday, March 9, 1916. It was on this day and date the infamous Mexican bandit, Pancho Villa, and his command of five hundred Villistas attacked the town of Columbus. It was here that General John J. Pershing launched the undeclared war against Pancho Villa and his several thousand bandits. It was here that the historical events of March 9, 1916 and those that followed brought worldwide publicity to the small town of Columbus, New Mexico. At the time of the attack by Pancho Villa, Columbus was the home of Camp Furlong that housed the U.S. Army Thirteenth Cavalry. The final toll of casualties amounted to eight American soldiers, nine civilians, and about a hundred Villistas dead. During the next eleven months Columbus was the headquarters for the punitive expedition into Mexico led by Brigadier General John J. Pershing. Today Columbus has much to offer the visitor including a motel for an overnight stay. The railroad station and some of the old adobe and wooden buildings of the border town remain as they did on March 9, 1916. It is now a State Park. Courtesy Henry Chenoweth.


Columbus
Courtesy Akio Ohki


Columbus
Courtesy Akio Ohki


Mexican bandits killed in Pancho Villa raid
Courtesy Samuel W. McWhorter


Columbus 2006
Courtesy Andy Barrett


What a strange place for a shirine - Columbus 2006
Courtesy Andy Barrett


The foundation for the Commercial Hotel - Columbus 2006
Courtesy Andy Barrett


Columbus 2006
Courtesy Andy Barrett


Columbus 2006
Courtesy Andy Barrett

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