Village of Columbus and Camp Furlong facts for kids
|
Village of Columbus and Camp Furlong
|
|
Camp Furlong, circa 1916
|
|
 Location in New Mexico
|
|
| Location | Portions of Columbus and Pancho Villa State Park, Columbus, New Mexico |
|---|---|
| Area | 138 acres (56 ha) |
| Built | 1917 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001164 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | May 15, 1975 |
| Designated NHLD | May 15, 1975 |
The Village of Columbus and Camp Furlong is a special historical area in New Mexico. It remembers a famous event from 1916: a raid by a Mexican revolutionary named Pancho Villa on the town of Columbus, New Mexico. It also marks the American military's response, which was an expedition led by General John J. Pershing.
This event happened during a time of big changes, including World War I and the Mexican Revolution. The raid and the American response were important for how the United States prepared for future conflicts. This historic area includes buildings that survived the raid and military sites used by the American soldiers. It was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1975.
Contents
The 1916 Raid and Response
Pancho Villa's Attack
On March 9, 1916, Camp Furlong was the main base for the 13th U.S. Cavalry. This group of soldiers was spread out along the border. During the raid, Pancho Villa's forces attacked Columbus.
A brave officer named Lt. Lucas quickly set up machine guns in the town. He directed heavy fire against the attackers. His quick actions caused many casualties among Villa's forces. This made them retreat back into Mexico.
Camp Furlong's Transformation
Almost overnight, Camp Furlong became a very large military base. It was used to protect the area from more raids. It also served as a preparation point for a military expedition into Mexico. This expedition was led by General John J. Pershing.
First, soldiers from the New Mexico National Guard arrived. Then, other regular army units came to support the troops going into Mexico. Columbus became home to the first tactical military airfield in the United States. The 1st Aero Squadron used Curtiss JN3 Jenny biplanes for observation and communication. These planes helped the expedition, even though many were lost in crashes over the rugged Mexican mountains.
Camp Furlong also had places to store supplies and repair early motor trucks. These trucks were used by the soldiers in Mexico. At its busiest, the camp was home to more than 5,000 troops.
After the Expedition
After the expedition returned, the 24th Infantry Regiment was based at Camp Furlong. In 1919, they helped chase Pancho Villa's troops out of Ciudad Juarez. Once the Mexican Revolution ended, the camp became less important. By 1921, only about 100 soldiers were stationed there. All troops left the area by 1923.
Exploring the Historic District
Pancho Villa State Park
Inside Pancho Villa State Park, you can still see several buildings from the time of Villa's 1916 raid. These buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They include the 1902 U.S. Customs House. There are also two adobe buildings from the Camp Furlong era. The Camp Furlong Recreation Hall is another important building.
The old Customs House is now the State Park visitor center. It has exhibits that tell the stories of Pancho Villa, the 1916 Columbus raid, and Pershing's expedition.
Other Historic Sites
The historic district also includes the old airfield, which is east of the state park. You can also find the former railroad station of the El Paso and Southwestern Railroad. This building now houses the local historical society museum. Another important building is the old Hoover Hotel, an adobe structure that was one of the few buildings to survive the raid.
