Columbus in Luna County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Commercial Hotel

Photographed By James Hulse, June 14, 2024

1. The Commercial Hotel Marker

Inscription. The Commercial Hotel, which was destroyed during the Columbus Raid, once stood on this site. In the pre-dawn hours of March 9, 1916, Pancho Villa's raiders broke into the hotel and confiscated the guests' valuables. They then shot and killed W.T. Ritchie, the hotel proprietor, and burned the building to the ground.

Captions
W.T. Ritchie
Commercial Hotel before the Columbus Raid
Commercial Hotel ruins immediately after the Columbus Raid

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is March 9, 1916.

Location. 31° 49.761′ N, 107° 38.396′ W. Marker is in Columbus, New Mexico, in Luna County. Marker is at the intersection of Lima Street and Taft Street on Lima Street. The marker is located at the corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 Lima St, Columbus NM 88029, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. El Paso & Southwestern Railroad (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Susan Parks (about 400 feet away); Southern Pacific Railroad Depot (about 400 feet away); In Memory of Citizens Killed / In Memory of Thirteenth Cavalry (about 500 feet away); Pershing's Review Stand

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(about 500 feet away); First Aero Squadron Airfield (about 500 feet away); Camp at Columbus (about 500 feet away); United States Custom House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Also see . . . Battle of Columbus (1916). Wikipedia

The Battle of Columbus (Burning of Columbus or the Columbus Raid), March 9, 1916, began as a raid conducted by remnants of Pancho Villa's Division of the North on the small United States border town of Columbus, New Mexico, located 3 miles (4.8 km) north of the border with Mexico. The raid escalated into a full-scale battle between Villistas and the United States Army.

Villa himself led the assault, only to be driven back into Mexico by elements of the 13th Cavalry Regiment stationed at the town. The attack angered Americans, and President Woodrow Wilson ordered Brigadier General John J. Pershing to lead the Punitive Expedition in which the US Army invaded Mexico but failed to capture Villa.

(Submitted on June 22, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed By James Hulse, June 14, 2024

2. The Commercial Hotel Marker

The view of the Commercial Hotel Marker along the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, June 14, 2024

3. The view of the Commercial Hotel Marker along the street

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 40 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 22, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.