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 classified under: Franklin to the Fort

Jennifer Slayden – Main Street Realty

I grew up in a loud, musical house with six siblings. My dad was a professor at MSU and my mom stayed at home. To supplement his income, my father used his carpentry and math skills to build houses, putting all of us kids to work around the site. We loved taking the scrap building materials and creating elaborate forts. I enjoyed the process of watching my dad show and sell his spec homes. In college I landed in Missoula […]

Better Than Netflix: The Roxy is Your Community Cinema

By Matt Anglen- Missoula is firmly rooted in what I call Movie Season. It’s the time of year when all you want to do is warm yourself by the glow of celluloid and think about spring.

Celebrating 15 Years: Humanties Montana’s Festival of the Book

One of the biggest cultural happenings in the Northwest, the 15th annual Festival of the Book happens this weekend with nearly 60 literary events featuring over 80 authors, poets, and artists.

Dressing Up Downtown: Missoula Art Museum’s Upcoming Art Park

By MATT ANGLEN- Congratulations. You may not know it now, but you picked an awesome place to go to school. To help you get acquainted with Missoula, here’s a short list of awesomeness.

The New Student’s Guide to Missoula’s Art Scene

By MATT ANGLEN- Congratulations. You may not know it now, but you picked an awesome place to go to school. To help you get acquainted with Missoula, here’s a short list of awesomeness.

How to Make the Most of What’s Left of Summer in Missoula

By MATT ANGLEN- If you’re like me and are desperately trying to make the most of these last few weeks of sunshine here in Missoula, here is a short list of things to get excited about:

The Average Joe’s Guide to the 2014 Zootown Fringe Festival

By MATT ANGLEN-The Zootown Fringe Festival is completely unjuried and uncensored. Anyone with a performance or art instillation can apply and do whatever they want.

First Friday Featured Artist: Sarah Jaeger

By MATT ANGLEN-Art is big in Missoula. If you don’t believe me just head downtown on the First Friday of every month and you’ll see sidewalks overflowing with people eager to catch the latest exhibition.

Rock the Hood: ZACC puts the ART in Block pARTy

By MATT ANGLEN-I love block parties. There’s something about sipping a beer and eating food from a truck in the middle of a normally busy street that just screams freedom.

Missoula is the Place for Bluegrass Music

By MARK VOSURGH. Wanna Jam? Missoulians, You are SO in luck. Missoula has a great bluegrass scene with at least 15 area bands playing bluegrass, and a ton of great musicians.

Introducing the Black Mountain Boys and
Weekly Missoula Bluegrass Music

By MARK VOSBURGH – Where is Missoula’s free weekly bluegrass show? Hint: Look for the grain bin on Reserve Street.