pengwen
03-05-2006, 09:25 AM
©SONewMex.com
In the pre-dawn hours of March 9, 1916, the soldiers of Mexican General Francisco “Pancho” Villa attacked the small border town and military camp at Columbus, NM. The Villistas killed 18 Americans before withdrawing into Mexico.
The 1916 raid on Columbus has been the only armed invasion of the continental U. S. since 1812. The U.S. campaign into Mexico that followed the raid was the first time the U.S. military utilized mechanized vehicles and aircraft in warfare.
From Camp Furlong, General John J. Pershing and his troops launched a punitive expedition into Mexico to capture Pancho Villa. Although Villa eluded Americans during the 11-month pursuit, 10,000 U.S. soldiers gained invaluable experience for the coming World War.
At Pancho Villa State Park, several buildings date from the time of Villa’s raid and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Camp Furlong’s recreation hall; an adobe structure identified as camp headquarters; and the remains of several other military facilities.
The U.S. Customs House, dating from 1902, until recently served as the park’s visitor center and museum
A newly constructed 7,000 square-foot visitor center and museum now stands next to the Customs House and displays artifacts and exhibits from Pancho Villa’s March 9, 1916 raid on Camp Furlong. There also are exhibits about the Mexican Revolution and the subsequent Punitive Expedition led by Gen. John “Blackjack” Pershing.
Through a donation and funds appropriated by New Mexico Legislature in 1999, Pancho Villa State Park acquired expedition-era examples of the vehicles and technology employed by Pershing and his men.
The new Exhibit Hall which opened for the 90th anniversary of Poncho Villa’s raid, proudly display a replica Jenny airplane, vehicles, historic artifacts, and an armored truck dating from that era.
This facility is a major addition to the park and a significant new tourism attraction in southwestern New Mexico and the border region.
Gov. Richardson and Chihuahua Gov. Baeza have been working together to increase trade, tourism and cultural ties between New Mexico and Chihuahua. The museum helps build that relationship, as both states value its historical significance and meaning, and actual exhibits are a product of bi-national collaboration.
At the center, visitors are urged to first read tall banners of information about the Mexican revolution – to understand the background and mission of Poncho Villa and his men.
Then a circular tour of the exhibit hall begins, starting by walking through a replica of a soldier’s tent and cots. The replica Jenny hangs from the center of the large room, impressive in its polished wood and canvas body and wings.
In 1916, the US military had eight JN3 Curtiss biplanes which were shipped to Columbus by train and then assembled at Camp Furlong. All were damaged or destroyed in the first month of the punitive expedition. They later were replaced with the JN4 which proved more reliable.
Under the Jenny are stationed a beautifully restored 1916 Dodge Touring Car, like the one the Gen. John Pershing used and a 1916 4-wd truck used to transport troops and supplies. Other supplies – such as ammunition boxes– encircle the vehicles with an impressive backdrop of a landscape.
There’s also a vehicle not restored that was actually at Columbus the day of the raid, with bullet holes in tact.
Be sure to take in the video, a short 20-minute documentary, which details the raid and the punitive expedition. Best of all, it includes segments of a few of the Columbian residents, children at the time of the raid, who talk about their personal experiences and what they recall of those days.
For photographs of the exhibit please visit SONewMex.com new gallery Click here for pictures (http://www.steppinoutnewmexico.com/pp-514/showgallery.php/cat/541)
For more about NM State Parks and Pancho Villa visit http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/emnrd/parks/
In the pre-dawn hours of March 9, 1916, the soldiers of Mexican General Francisco “Pancho” Villa attacked the small border town and military camp at Columbus, NM. The Villistas killed 18 Americans before withdrawing into Mexico.
The 1916 raid on Columbus has been the only armed invasion of the continental U. S. since 1812. The U.S. campaign into Mexico that followed the raid was the first time the U.S. military utilized mechanized vehicles and aircraft in warfare.
From Camp Furlong, General John J. Pershing and his troops launched a punitive expedition into Mexico to capture Pancho Villa. Although Villa eluded Americans during the 11-month pursuit, 10,000 U.S. soldiers gained invaluable experience for the coming World War.
At Pancho Villa State Park, several buildings date from the time of Villa’s raid and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Camp Furlong’s recreation hall; an adobe structure identified as camp headquarters; and the remains of several other military facilities.
The U.S. Customs House, dating from 1902, until recently served as the park’s visitor center and museum
A newly constructed 7,000 square-foot visitor center and museum now stands next to the Customs House and displays artifacts and exhibits from Pancho Villa’s March 9, 1916 raid on Camp Furlong. There also are exhibits about the Mexican Revolution and the subsequent Punitive Expedition led by Gen. John “Blackjack” Pershing.
Through a donation and funds appropriated by New Mexico Legislature in 1999, Pancho Villa State Park acquired expedition-era examples of the vehicles and technology employed by Pershing and his men.
The new Exhibit Hall which opened for the 90th anniversary of Poncho Villa’s raid, proudly display a replica Jenny airplane, vehicles, historic artifacts, and an armored truck dating from that era.
This facility is a major addition to the park and a significant new tourism attraction in southwestern New Mexico and the border region.
Gov. Richardson and Chihuahua Gov. Baeza have been working together to increase trade, tourism and cultural ties between New Mexico and Chihuahua. The museum helps build that relationship, as both states value its historical significance and meaning, and actual exhibits are a product of bi-national collaboration.
At the center, visitors are urged to first read tall banners of information about the Mexican revolution – to understand the background and mission of Poncho Villa and his men.
Then a circular tour of the exhibit hall begins, starting by walking through a replica of a soldier’s tent and cots. The replica Jenny hangs from the center of the large room, impressive in its polished wood and canvas body and wings.
In 1916, the US military had eight JN3 Curtiss biplanes which were shipped to Columbus by train and then assembled at Camp Furlong. All were damaged or destroyed in the first month of the punitive expedition. They later were replaced with the JN4 which proved more reliable.
Under the Jenny are stationed a beautifully restored 1916 Dodge Touring Car, like the one the Gen. John Pershing used and a 1916 4-wd truck used to transport troops and supplies. Other supplies – such as ammunition boxes– encircle the vehicles with an impressive backdrop of a landscape.
There’s also a vehicle not restored that was actually at Columbus the day of the raid, with bullet holes in tact.
Be sure to take in the video, a short 20-minute documentary, which details the raid and the punitive expedition. Best of all, it includes segments of a few of the Columbian residents, children at the time of the raid, who talk about their personal experiences and what they recall of those days.
For photographs of the exhibit please visit SONewMex.com new gallery Click here for pictures (http://www.steppinoutnewmexico.com/pp-514/showgallery.php/cat/541)
For more about NM State Parks and Pancho Villa visit http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/emnrd/parks/