The Story Behind the "M"

The "M" is 620 feet above the Missoula Valley floor. It is 125' feet long and 100' feet wide. University of Montana forestry students cut the switchbacks into the side of the hill in the early 1900's. The first "M" was assembled out of whitewashed rocks in 1909, and given a fresh coat of paint by freshmen every year, until 1968, when all those rocks were cemented together with concrete.

Photo by Nelson Kenter, kenterphotography.com

Posts Tagged ‘MDA’

29th Annual Garden City BrewFest Returns May 6, 2023

Often imitated but never replicated, Montana’s original and largest beer festival will take place Saturday, May 6 in Caras Park in Downtown Missoula.... more

Missoula Downtown Foundation Brings Shade Structure to Caras Park

Missoula’s recently-renovated Caras Park will get a little cooler, thanks to the Missoula Downtown Foundation and its partnership with Dick Anderson Construction and the City of Missoula Parks & Recreation.... more

Thirty Artists Selected For River City Roots Festival Art Show

Thirty artists have been selected for the Juried Art Show on Main Street Friday and Saturday, August 24-25, during the 13th Annual River City Roots Festival in Downtown Missoula.... more

Roots Fest Slated for August 25-26

The 12th annual River City Roots Festival takes place in Downtown Missoula August 25-26, and the Art Show will be the largest ever with 34 art booths.... more

24th Annual Garden City BrewFest

The 24th annual Garden City BrewFest will take place Saturday, May 7, 2016 in Caras Park from noon to 8 pm. The Garden City BrewFest again serves as the grand finale of the 5th annual Missoula Craft Beer Week. ... more

Shake Off the Winter Blues and Try Some Brews

Come and enjoy the sixth annual Winter BrewFest on Friday, Feb.19, from 5-9 pm. Featuring 40 plus winter brews from Montana only breweries, food, entertainment & more!... more

Support Someone’s Dream on Small Business Saturday

Saturday, Nov 28 marks the fifth annual Small Business Saturday. Downtown Missoula businesses are participating in the event that saw $14.3 billion in consumer spending nationally last year. ... more

15th Annual Garden City River Rod Run

The 15th Annual Garden City River Rod Run, slated for Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27, will feature over 200 classic and hot rod cars.... more

Downtown Flower Baskets Scheduled To Go Up May 14

By Tom Aldrich for the Missoula Downtown Association Missoula’s beloved Downtown Flower Baskets will be installed this Thursday, May 14 beginning at 5:30 p.m. A total of 98 baskets will be moved from Pink ... more

23rd Annual Garden City Brewfest Scheduled for Sat. May 2, in Caras Park

The 23rd annual Garden City BrewFest will take place Saturday, May 2, 2015 in Caras Park from noon to 8 pm and is the grand finale of the 4th annual Missoula Craft Beer Week.... more

Public Invited to Learn About Downtown Two-Way Traffic Plan

Learn more about the City's study to convert Front and Main Streets back to two-way traffic; TONIGHT Tues., April 14, at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers at 140 W. Pine St.... more

5th Annual Winter Brewfest Comes to Caras Park, Fri. Feb 27

The Missoula Downtown Association and KettleHouse Brewing Co. will host the fifth annual Winter BrewFest on Friday, Feb 27, 2015 from 5-10 pm in Caras Park.... more

MDA Announces Dowtown Window Decorating Contest Winners

The Missoula Downtown Association (MDA) announces the window decorating contest winner for 2014: Noteworthy Paper & Press placed 1st in the Best Overall category. Other category winners were:... more

Over 30 Beer-Themed Events Planned for Missoula Craft Beer Week

By RYAN NEWHOUSE - Missoula Craft Beer Week is returning to Missoula April 27-May 3 and is bigger and better than ever, including over 30 beer-themed events throughout the week.... more

2014 Garden City BrewFest Slated for Saturday May 3, in Caras Park

Check Out the 2014 Garden City BrewFest on Sat. May 3, 2014 in Caras Park from noon to 8 pm. The BrewFest again serves as the culminating event of the Missoula Craft Beer Week. ... more

4th Annual Winter BrewFest Comes to Caras Park Friday, Feb 21

The Missoula Downtown Association and KettleHouse Brewing Co. will host the 4th annual Winter BrewFest on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 from 5-10 pm in Caras Park.... more

December in Downtown Missoula: The Best Place to Be for the Holidays

By LINDA McCARTHY - Downtown Missoula is a special place during the holiday season with exceptional shopping, dining and entertainment for everyone in the family. CHECK OUT THESE EVENTS!... more

Shopping on ‘Small Business Saturday’ Builds Local Economy

By LINDA MCCARTHY - Downtown Missoula is rolling out the red carpet for 'Small Business Saturday' which encourages people to shop at small, locally-owned, bricks and mortar stores the Saturday after Thanksgivi... more

MDA Seeks Floats for 11th Annual Parade of Lights

The MDA is accepting applications for the 11th Annual Parade of Lights The Parade which will take place in Downtown Missoula on Saturday, December 7 at 6pm. ... more

Missoula’s 21st Annual Festival of the Dead Parade (PHOTO GALLERY)

By AUSTIN SMITH -Even with a little rain, the Festival of the Dead parade, part of a month-long celebration, was fun for young and old alike.... more

Wayfinding: Finding Your Way To And Around Missoula

By LINDA MCCARTHY - Ever notice how other communities have beautiful navigational signs that help guide you to your destination? Ever wonder why Missoula doesn’t? ... more

What’s Up This Week in Downtown Missoula

Here's what's happening this week in Downtown Missoula: River Cleanup, River Market and Riverside Shred Fest!... more

Sigma Phi Epsilon 30-year Reunion Brings Old Friends To Missoula This Weekend

By LINDA MCCARTHY - Brothers in the Sigma Phi Epsilon house at UM were some of my closest friends in college and this weekend they're celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the re-opening of the chapter. ... more

Missoula Leaders Engaged at Montana Economic Summit

By LINDA MCCARTHY - The local daily newspaper claimed that Missoula was not well represented at the Montana Economic Summit, held in Butte. In my opinion, nothing could be further from the truth.... more

Missoula’s Old Sawmill District Ready for Investment

By LINDA MCCARTHY - (PHOTO GALLERY) The Old Sawmill District – the former Champion Mill site on the south side of the Clark Fork River – is a great example of progress in Missoula. ... more

Roots Fest This Weekend in Downtown Missoula August 23-25, 2013

By LINDA McCARTHY- The 8th annual River City Roots Festival is coming up this weekend August 23-25 in Downtown Missoula--showcasing live music, juried art, family fun, food, drink and a four-mile run.... more

Seahawks or Broncos?

By LINDA McCARTHY- Since Montana is essentially halfway between Seattle and Denver, Missoulians are oftentimes split between their love of the Mariners and the Rockies, the Seahawks and the Broncos.... more

Missoula Symphony in the Park: Sunday Aug 11, 2013

By LINDA McCARTHY- The Missoula Symphony will host its annual Symphony in the Park this Sun., Aug. 11, 2013 This FREE event is a ‘do not miss’ event for Missoula! ... more

Enjoying the Great Outdoors in and Around Missoula

By LINDA McCARTHY- One of the best things about living in Missoula, Montana is the access you have to the wild open spaces and recreation places throughout the region. ... more

Montana Diva Foundation Hosts 2013 Celtic Festival of Missoula

By LINDA McCARTHY- The Montana Diva Foundation hosts the fourth annual Celtic Festival of Missoula July 26-28 in Caras Park in the heart of Downtown Missoula. ... more

Two Unique July Festivals Make Missoula Special

By LINDA McCARTHY- For a unique Missoula experience, don’t miss out on the International Choral Festival July 17-20 and the Missoula Celtic Festival July 26-28.... more

Missoula Marathon Festivities Bring Thousands to the Garden City

By LINDA McCARTHY-One of Montana’s largest events takes place this weekend (July 12-14, 2013) right here in the Garden City, as thousands of Montanans and out-of-staters flock to the Missoula Marathon.... more

Celebrating America’s Independence in Missoula, MT U.S.A.

By LINDA McCARTHY - Independence Day. Why don’t we call it that anymore? Instead we call it the "Fourth of July"? As for me, I'm celebrating INDEPENDENCE DAY in Missoula, MT U.S.A.... more