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 ‘Arts & Culture’ Category

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 7/25/11... more

Maiden Missoula Product Review: Zootown Arts Community Center

By LEAH LEWIS. Last week, I offered a few suggestions for my favorite, locally-made wedding gifts from right here in the Garden City. I mentioned the really cool wine-bottle cheese plates from the Zootown Arts... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 7/18/11... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 7/10/11... more

Missoula Spaces: A Festival of One-Minute Films

MAKE IT MISSOULA MOMENT: Missoula Spaces: A Festival of One-Minute Films. Call for submissions! Sumbit your one-minute films about Missoula made by the people who live here. Deadline: July 10, 2011... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 6/27/11.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 6/20/11.... more

20+ Things to Do for Kids Visiting Missoula

By PAUL WHEATON. Paul has family coming to visit. He could go on and on about how great Missoula is, and this post lists some of his top attractions!... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 6/13/11.... more

The Clay Studio of Missoula

By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden Missoula Product Review: The Clay Studio of Missoula.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 5/23/11.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 5/16/11.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 5/9/11.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 5/2/11.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 4/25/11.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 4/18/11.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 4/11/11.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 3/21/11.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 3/14/11.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 3/7/11.... more

Golden Memories

By CC THE TRAINED MONKEY. I read somewhere that a memory becomes solidified thanks to a burst of adrenaline in our systems at the time of the incident. I totally call BS on that. Why would the sight of my de... more

2011: A Course for Beginners

By CC THE TRAINED MONKEY. Hello, and welcome to Lesson One of “2011: A Course For Beginners.” Please open your text books to the first chapter entitled “New Years Resolutions.” ... more

Spare the Rod

By CC THE TRAINED MONKEY. I was in the grocery store the other day and there was this kid who was pitching a fit because his mother wouldn’t buy him a package of liverwurst.... more

CC the Emcee

By CC THE TRAINED MONKEY. So, Thanksgiving is coming up. I usually spend it with friends because I’ve never had any family out here in Los Angeles – that is, until recently when my niece came to town to st... more

Weekend Tips from the Trail 11/19/10

What's going on this weekend? This video blog will help you make a plan. ... more

The Hunter’s Credo

11/09 Blog Post by CC The Trained Monkey. So, hunting season is here. Guys in L.A. don’t know that though because men here don’t hunt. Occasionally they’ll troll -- for chicks. Or stalk. Lot of stalk... more

Zoo Town Night Life

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A UM STUDENT. Blog by Clay Springmeyer. Goodbye Day Light Savings! Don't you love getting to sleep in an extra hour? Well, readers, so much has happened in the last week that I don't eve... more

Weekend Tips from the Trail 11/12/10

What's going on this weekend? This video blog will help you make a plan. Then use the Plan-it button to the left to view all the upcoming events in the area. ... more

Weekend Tips from the Trail 11/5/10

What's going on this weekend? This video blog will help you make a plan. Then use the Plan-it button to the left to view all the upcoming events in the area. Don't forget to set your clocks back 1 hour this... more

Weekend Tips from the Trail 10/29/10

What's going on this weekend? This video blog will help you make a plan. Then use the Plan-it button to the left to view all the upcoming events in the area. ... more

My Funny Valentine

Blog by CC The Trained Monkey. Editor's note: We asked CC to recall her most romantic memory of Missoula and she wrote a thousand words about the zombie apocalypse. Seems about right. Whether you love zombies ... more

Ten Spoon Winery

Blog by Andy Sponseller and Connie Poten. Soon after we planted our first grape vines, launching the dream of a green vineyard and winery in Montana’s Rockies, excellent friend and author Deirdre McNamer g... more

A Six Minute Buzz Kill (L.A. versus Missoula)

By Carol Chrest I live in Los Angeles, so I’m allowed to poke fun at it. It’s like having three sisters. Most of the time they drive you crazy, because they spend too much time in the bathroom, or steal yo... more

Great Missoula Views – Public Art!

Art on every corner? Well, almost! If you’ve driven anywhere in Missoula the past two years, it’s likely that you’ve seen new splashes of color on various corners throughout the city. These eclectic art p... more

Pleasing Your Palate in Missoula

Hungry? You'll be able to satisfy just about any craving in Missoula! Whether it's a casual meal for the family, a fine dining experience, or dessert after a concert or play, Missoula offers a wealth of opt... more

Missoula’s Markets

Saturday mornings aren’t just for cartoons or sleeping in. In Missoula, Saturday mornings are for shopping Missoula’s outdoor markets – at least when the weather is warm. When market season hits, three... more

Missoula History

The first inhabitants of the Missoula area were Native Americans from the Salish tribe.  They called the area “Nemissoolatakoo,” which translates roughly to “river of ambush," and eventually gave rise to... more

Out to Lunch

Feeling hungry? With over 20 different food vendors and live music every week in Caras Park in Downtown Missoula, Out to Lunch has you covered. For over 20 years, Out to Lunch has been providing Missoulians ... more

Montana Natural History Center

The Montana Natural History Center helps cultivate the understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of nature through education. With a variety of programs for all ages, the Center helps both children a... more

Theater in Missoula

From a night at the movies, to live performances, Missoula theaters have something going on you're sure to enjoy. Film festivals, community theater, classics on the big screen, current blockbusters — you... more