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

Archive for the ‘A Carousel for Missoula’ Category

How to Enjoy the Nightlife of Missoula

If you really want to make the most of a visit to Missoula, you will need to know how to enjoy the nightlife. Here are a few options:... more

6 Interesting Things To Do In Missoula

Missoula is a great place to live and visit. Find out six interesting things to do while in the city. ... more

Missoula Downtown Foundation Raises $650,000 For Caras Park Upgrades

The Missoula Downtown Foundation has raised $650,000 to help jumpstart implementation of the North Riverside Parks & Trails Plan with major improvements to Caras Park.... more

Best Entertainment Places in Missoula

There's something available for everyone when you visit Missoula! Here are just a few: ... more

Missoula’s Beloved Out to Lunch & Downtown ToNight Summer Series are Back!

Downtown Missoula comes to life with the 35th season of Out to Lunch on Wednesday, June 2 and the 20th season of Downtown ToNight on Thursday, June 3. ... more

Great Activities for Students in Missoula

Planning to visit Missoula but don't know how to have fun? The city has many interesting locations. Here are great activities for students in Missoula.... more

Carousel to Close for 10 Days Amid CoVid-19 Concerns

A Carousel for Missoula and Dragon Hollow will be closed for 10 days, from Monday, March 16, through Wednesday, March 25, as a precautionary measure for COVID-19.... more

Convenient Ways to Beat the Summer Heat

Here are a few easy ways you can beat the summer heat.... more

Carousel Receives Generous Donation in Memory of Carver, Alex McDonald

By THERESA COX - Patricia Donlin, of Port Angeles, Washington, has given A Carousel for Missoula $1 million dollars as a memorial to her younger brother, Alex McDonald. McDonald, one of the original Carousel ca... more

Carousel Reopens With a Little Help From Our Friends

By THERESA COX - A Carousel for Missoula reopened on Thur., Aug. 8, following a fifteen-day closure due to a broken cylinder bearing.... more

Solution is in Sight for Carousel Closure

While it isn’t possible to run down to the carousel store to buy a cylinder bearing for a 101 year old carousel, the machinists of Missoula have proven that if they know what we need, they can make it.... more

Please Volunteer to Help Save the Dragon

Approximately one-third of that number have signed up to date. Another 1,500 volunteers are needed to turn Dragon Hollow into an all-abilities playground.... more

Dragon Hollow Expansion in Need of Volunteers and Tools

A Carousel for Missoula is looking for 2,300 volunteers to help refurbish and expand Dragon Hollow Playarea. ... more

30+ Things for Kids to Do in Missoula, Montana

By LINDA McCARTHY - I am amazed at how many free and low cost things there are to do with kids in Missoula, Montana. My daughter and I compiled a list of more than 30 Things to Do With Kids in Missoula:... more

Carousel Birthday Party/Expansion Grand Opening Scheduled for May 28

Be a kid again, and bring the kids, when A Carousel for Missoula celebrates its 21st birthday and the Grand Opening of its new expansion this Saturday, May 28.... more

Carousel Closed for Annual Maintenance

A Carousel for Missoula will be closed through Fri., Jan. 15, for annual maintenance. ... more

Governor Bullock to Headline Carousel Expansion Groundbreaking Event

Governor Bullock will be on hand to help A Carousel for Missoula celebrate the groundbreaking on its 640 square foot expansion Monday, Nov. 9 at 11:00a.m.... more

Dragon Hollow to Transform into Haunted Hollow for Halloween Fun!

It is time again for ghosties and ghoulies. Dragon Hollow will become Haunted Hollow from 6 to 8pm, on Thurs., Oct. 22 through Sat., Oct. 24, and again on Thurs., Oct. 29 and Fri. Oct. 30.... more

Carousel Set to Begin Expansion Construction

By THERESA COX - A Carousel for Missoula has reached its fundraising goal for a 640 square foot addition and upgrades to its building in Caras Park. ... more

Fairy Tale and Superhero Festival is July 25

By THERESA COX - Calling all magical beings to attend the Fairy Tale and Superhero Festival on Sat., July 25, from 10am to noon, in the grassy field to the west of Dragon Hollow.... more

Kidsfest 2015 Slated for July 28 at Caras Park

Celebrate Kidsfest 2015--a free summer celebration for Missoula families at Caras Park on Tuesday, July 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Admission and most activities are free. ... more

Own Your Own “Paint” Carousel Pony or “Scafti” the Dragon

By THERESA COX- Three very special carvings will go home with lucky winners following A Carousel for Missoula’s gala this Thursday, June 18, at the Ranch Club barn.... more

Celebrate Kids’ Day at the Carousel

A Carousel for Missoula will be celebrating its 20th birthday on Sat., May 23. Come enjoy FREE rides on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. ... more

Carousel to Host Unusual Track Meet to Kick Off Kids’ Day 2015

Hey Kids--wanna barrel race on a stick pony? Toss stinky socks? Tumbe tires? Be a part of the first ever Kids’ Day Track Meet, Sat., May 23, from 8:30-9:30am at the Carousel! ... more

Carousel Carvings on Display at Annual Wood Carvers Show, May 2 & 3

The Ponykeepers of A Carousel for Missoula will be letting the chips fall where they may during the Western Montana Wood Carvers Show, May 3 & 4, at the Missoula Fairgrounds.... more

Celebrate the Carousel’s 20th Birthday on Kids’ Day, May 23

Each year, the Carousel offers free rides on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend as a birthday gift to the community. Extra activities are planned for this year's 20th Birthday party.... more

Kidsfest 2014 Slated for July 29 at Caras Park

Join Missoula Parks and Recreation for Kidsfest 2014, a free summer celebration for Missoula families at Caras Park on Tuesday, July 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.... more

Dragon Hollow to be Haunted for Halloween

Dragon Hollow Playarea, next to A Carousel for Missoula, will be haunted for Halloween, from 6 to 8pm, Fri., Oct. 18 through Sun., Oct. 20, and Fri., Oct. 25 through Wed., Oct. 30.... more

Fairy Tale and Super Hero Festival is Saturday July 27

Come to the Fairy Tale and Super Hero Festival at Dragon Hollow Play area on Sat., July 27, from 10am to noon. Kids will enjoy fun, food and activities. The first 450 will receive a Tooth Fairy bag.... more

Get in the Halloween Spirit at the Haunted Dragon Hollow

Looking for a haunted house in Missoula? The haunting of Dragon Hollow continues this Thursday, Oct. 25, through next Monday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. each evening.... more

Get Out of the Kitchen Next Week: My Favorite Missoula Restaurants

By MARGARET HORTON - Thanksgiving is next week and it’s got me thinking: I’ll provide place to stay and the home-cooked meals for my guests, but it’s also fun get everybody out for a meal.... more

MoBASH Skate Park

Named one of the country’s top 5 skate parks by Thrasher Magazine... more

Missoula Wins Playful City USA Award

In 2009 KaBOOM!, a national non-profit organization, confirmed what many Missoulians already knew to be true – Missoula is one of the most Playful Cities in the nation. Playful City USA is a KaBOOM! progra... more