Columbus, New Mexico

Columbus, Luna County, New Mexico, has a fascinating history, a 24-hour border crossing, a varied and unique geology, a New Mexico State Park, and a museum. The village was established in 1891, across the border from Palomas, Mexico. In 1902 the El Paso & Santa Fe Railroad Line opened a station in Columbus and the residents moved themselves and their village 3 miles north to the present location.

Columbus was attacked in the early hours of March 9, 1916. Francisco (Pancho) Villa and his army of Villistas of 500 men crossed the Mexican border to pillage and burn the sleeping village. Eighteen Columbus residents and U.S. soldiers were killed as were over 100 Villistas. A retaliation was led by General Jack Pershing using for the first time in U.S. warfare both airplanes and also motorized vehicles. Pershing and his troops pursued the Villistas into Mexico, but Villa disappeared into the mountains.