Named for the famous Mexican bandit and revolutionary leader, the park
is located near Columbus, New Mexico, site of Villa’s most infamous
raid. In the dead of the night on March 10, 1916, Villa and his men
entered the town of Columbus and did their bloody work. When they left,
seventeen local people were dead, including eight soldiers and nine
civilians. The Mexican force suffered heavy casualties, perhaps as many
as 125 killed. The town of Columbus was badly damaged and has only
recently begun to recover from the blow. The expedition of General
Pershing, then on duty along the Mexican border, was organized to hunt
down Villa and his men. Pershing and a United States military unit spent
three months inside Mexico, only to return to the United States
empty-handed. The park commemorates one of the most interesting and
tragic episodes in New Mexico history. Within the park, one can see
excellent examples of Sonoran desert flora. Picnic facilities and
camping sites are available.