Historical Marker

Pancho Villa’s Raid and Pancho Villa State Park

Side 1

Francisco “Pancho” Villa’s Mexican revolutionary forces attacked Columbus, New Mexico, before dawn on March 9, 1916, killing eight U.S. soldiers and ten civilians. Approximately 100 Villistas were killed. The U.S. responded with the Punitive Expedition led by General John J. ”Black Jack” Pershing into Mexico in pursuit of Villa. Villa was never captured by U.S. forces. Historians still debate the motives behind Villa’s raid.

Side 2

Pancho Villa State Park interprets the March 9, 1916, raid by the forces of Mexican revolutionary Francisco “Pancho” Villa on the village of Columbus, New Mexico. The park’s Exhibit Hall houses artifacts and displays pertaining to the raid and General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing’s Punitive Expedition into Mexico in pursuit of Villa. The park’s campground and botanical garden offer excellent birding and wildlife viewing.