New Mexico
54

New Mexico State Parks

USA Parks
New Mexico
Southwest Region
Pancho Villa State Park
Pancho Villa State Park Cootes hill © Elisabeth Koenig
trail to Cootes hill from campground
Park Visitor: Comments, Memories and Reviews
July 11 Park Named after an Enemy??? by Fellow Patriot
As a retired military officer, I think naming this park after an enemy of the United States is disgraceful. And embarrassing to the state of New Mexico
February 4 A little gem in the desert
Poncho Villa State Park is a great place to visit with a nice visitor center/museum. Combine your visit with a stop at The Pink Store 2 blocks across the border for some good food and margaritas. As far as the hater reviews.... they should just get over it, history happens!
April 19 The naming of Pancho Villa State Park by John Read
Columbus, NM Deputy Sheriff Jack Breen (1885 a?" 1962) originated the name a?oPancho Villa State Parka?? (Deming Headlight, Nov. 23, 1961). Breen was the well respected Deputy Sheriff of Columbus at the time of the raid. Breen said he knew Villa well and stated that Villa was not in Columbus during the raid. Senator Ike Smalley (1905 a?" 1998) from Deming introduced the bill in the 1959 state legislature that was responsible for the construction of the park and he promoted the naming of the park (Deming Headlight, Nov. 23, 1961). The name a?oPancho Villa State Parka?? passed unanimously in the New Mexico Senate and then passed unanimously in the New Mexico House. There were no dissenting votes. Pancho Villa State Park in Columbus, New Mexico, was established in 1959 a?oIn the interest of preservation of the memory of the unique, historical occasion of the last hostile action by foreign troops within the continental United Statesa?? (Kottlowski, 1980). It became the only park in the United States to be named after a foreign invader. The naming of the 60-acre park was a gesture of peace and goodwill between the United States and Mexico. The town of Columbus has been designated a National Historic Site. PVSP was dedicated on November 18, 1961 by Governor Edwin Mechem (1912 a?" 2002).
June 25 Huh? by Kathryn Moser
This is like New York City having an Osama bin Laden state park.
April 24 Change Name of Park
You should consider changing the name of the park to General John Pershing Park in honor of the great American that pursued Pancho Villa.
April 22 Outstanding bio and historical park by Rob Dolce
This state park has a wonderful mix of history from the Columbus Raid and biological examples in their fantastic desert fauna gardens. Having the name Panco Villa is no more offensive than having a park that is named for Billy the Kid or any character of questionable character. The fact is, we have towns and parks named for individuals that some might find offensive. Native Americans might not like Carson National Forest because of the Long Walk. Mexicans had their land taken by Americans in the Mexican-American war, a war in which we were the aggressor. History is repleat with miss-deeds and much of the determination as to what is wrong and right depends on your prospective. In Mexico they call the Mexican-American War the American War of Aggression.
March 16 Great History by Jeff Hubbard
If you know the story of the Mexican Revolution you know that Pancho Villa was a friend to the US for many years. He is a fascinating character. Saying he was a terrorist is ignorant - please READ.
January 18 ALVARADO by Alvarado J. USMC (retired)
Columbus is a dyeing town, the park is keeping it alive, it brings money from tourism that simply it would not find its way to this dusty little village...Pancho Villa made it famous, enough said.
October 26 what are you thinking? by what is happening to America?
Why would you name a park after a man who murdered 18 Americans?
April 1 source of the name? by JasonM
So... why is the park named for someone who attacked the U.S.? Does Hawaii have a Marshal Isoroku Yamamoto State Park in honor of the Pearl Harbor attack?
January 10 pancho villa terrorist by dina ulferts
Change the name of your park. This is an insult!!!!!!
April 9 1910 Mexican Revolution site by Sand Hill Cranes
where Pancho Villa crossed the border--- museum fabulous-------rv sites nicely spaced--- in a cactus garden----with Pink Store across border in Palomas Chihuahua----superb collection of artware from all over mexico---benefits craftspeople---and serves fab food. Love Pancho Villa AND mexico!
Reviews by Park Visitors

New Mexico
54

New Mexico State Parks

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