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 ‘Missoula news’

Missoula Police Department Tackles Crimes and Injustices in Local Communities

Missoula’s Police Chief has recently presented the first ever annual report for the state’s second-largest police department. Learn more. ... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights-Week of Oct 21

By TOM DIDDEL- Homeless men fight over pork chop, Lolo resident shoots wolf hybrid, the beautiful fall weather ends on Sunday, and more.... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights-Week of Oct 14

By TOM DIDDEL- Wildlife Officials release 'Do Not Eat Advisory' for Clark Fork fish, Mountain Lions Spotted in South Hills area, UM fall victim is recovering after accident, and more.... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights-Week of Oct 7

By TOM DIDDEL- This Week: Canadian man clocked at 154 miph on I-90; Road Kill becomes legal to eat in Montana, Ronan couple has five horses stolen and more!... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights-Week of Sept 23

By TOM DIDDEL- This Week: Missoula man arrested after day long stand-off,Two new laws go into effect aimed at illegal drugs, Missoula looks to fight cancer with area's largest cancer center, and more.... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights-Week of Sept 16

By TOM DIDDEL- This Week: Butte Copper King Heiress Trial over Will Begins Jury Selection, Montana Judge faces more Pressure, Wildlife Officials Look for Cause of the Death of 100+ Deer.... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights-Week of Sept 9

By TOM DIDDEL- Bomb Threat at Big Sky High School, Kalispell woman faces charges for pushing husband off cliff, Big names in business for Montana Economic Summit, hyunter wounds bear that attacked his partner.... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights-Week of Sept 2

By TOM DIDDEL- A recap of the week’s most talked-about stories in Missoula: UM students warned of suspicious man on campus; Combat Challenge comes to Missoula, Bitterroot farmers face possible water shortage... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights-Week of Aug 19

By TOM DIDDEL- A recap of the week’s most talked-about stories in Missoula: Lolo Creek Complex Fire, Lolo Creek Runs Dry killing Hundreds of Fish, Auto Body Shop Fire Victim Dies and more! ... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights-Week of Aug 12

By TOM DIDDEL- A recap of the week’s most talked-about stories in Missoula: Basketball standout, Joslyn Tinkle appears on Price is Right, Missoula mom and 3 children still missing, Nimrod Fire spreads and mo... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights-Week of Aug 5

By TOM DIDDEL- A recap of the week’s most talked-about stories in Missoula: Western MT Fair gets new director, Cartoonist and Writer, Stan Lynde Dies, UM Ramps up marketing efforts and more.... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights-Week of July 22

By TOM DIDDEL- A recap of the week’s most talked-about stories in Missoula: Arnold Schwarzenegger Visits Western Montana Fire Crew, Cash Hyde Story Lives on in new Documentary, and More!... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights-Week of July 15

By TOM DIDDEL- A recap of the week’s most talked-about stories in Missoula: Wildfire Season Begins, Three People Hit by Lightning in Glacier Park, Historic Bannick hit by Damaging Flash Flood, & more!... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights – Week of July 1

By TOM DIDDEL- A recap of the week’s most talked-about stories in Missoula: Triple Digit Heat, Search for Escaped Inmate, Montana Firefighter Killed in Arizona Fire, and Search for Peeping Tom.... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights – Week of June 24

By TOM DIDDEL- A recap of the week’s most talked-about stories in Missoula: Father of Cash Hyde, Michael Hyde is running for Mayor, Corvallis boys save 2-year-old from drowning, HOT summer weather!... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights – Week of June 10

By TOM DIDDEL- A recap of the week’s most talked-about stories in Missoula: Barry Beach back in prison, New Superintendent for GNP, Missoula's Downtown Bridges, Apartment Fire in East Missoula & more!... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights – Week of April 15

By TOM DIDDEL- A recap of the week’s most talked-about stories in Missoula: Maclay Bridge, two Missoula arsons, Missoula Race to benefit Boston Marathon bombing victims, Montana senators split on gun vote ... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights – Week of April 8

By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of the week’s most talked-about stories in Missoula. Campus police save man in Clark Fork, Vann's to close store in Missoula and Hamilton, Montana Republicans and Democrats Clash in ... more

Coal Trains Cause Concern for Missoula Citizens

By MARK BOATMAN - As more coal trains run through Missoula from the Powder River Basin, some citizens are voicing concern over increased pollution and noise.... more