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 ‘Neighborhoods’ Category

Buyout Of Flood Victims’ Homes Planned, But All Residents Need Flood Protection

Missoula County plans to  apply for a $4 million grant to buy out homeowners whose properties are prone to flooding in the west of the city.... more

Is Selling a House in a Buyer’s Market a Bad Idea?

Whether it's a good idea or not, selling your home in a buyer's market is very dependent on how smart and lucky you are. ... more

Missoula in Motion Launches January Clear the Air Challenge

For the month of January, Missoula In Motion will challenge citizens to reduce the amount of C02 they emit into the air by trying to limit their solo driving trips.... more

Creative Ideas to Maximize Space in Your Missoula Home

Whether you’re looking to move to Missoula or relocating to the locality, here’s some useful ways to maximize a space to its full potential.... more

BIKEapalooza Kicks Off Sunday Streets Missoula

Celebrate Sunday Streets Missoula on Sunday, July 19, between noon and 4 p.m. on a car-free Higgins Avenue from the red XXXXs on north HIggins Ave.... more

Street Trees Suffer in Summer Weather

By BECKY GOODRICH - The heat is hard on all of us, but did you know it can KILL trees? Remember that street trees need your help to survive summer’s soaring temperatures.... more

Keep Cool, Stay Safe This Weekend With Parks and Recreation

Missoula Parks and Recreation offers lots of options to safely beat the heat this weekend including Splash, Currents, 4 splash decks and 2 neighborhood spray pools.... more

Emergency Notifications: Smart911 is Your Answer

By NICK HOLLOWAY - The Missoula Office of Emergency Management reminds us: May is National Wildfire Awareness month. Is your family’s ready should a wildfire threaten your property?... more

Is Your Family Ready For Wildfire Season?

By NICK HOLLOWAY - The Missoula Office of Emergency Management reminds us: May is National Wildfire Awareness month. Is your family’s ready should a wildfire threaten your property?... 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

Should I Stay or Should I Go: Evacuations in Missoula County

By NICK HOLLOWAY - During an emergency or a disaster, your family may need to evacuate to a safe location. Take the time now to learn what to do to keep your family safe. ... more

“9-1-1 On Steroids” Can Save Your Life

The Missoula County Office of Emergency Management encourages Missoulians to sign up for new life-saving emergency response program.... more

Office of Emergency Management: Be Prepared, Make a Plan

The Missoula County Office of Emergency Management reminds us to be prepared and to have a plan--including an emergency kit in the event something unexpected occurs.... more

Missoula REALTORS Help Kids in Need Through MOR4Kids

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG- MOR4Kids has provided $33,975 in direct contributions to Missoula’s schools for food, milk, clothing, and gas to help parents get their kids to school. ... more

Selling Your Home During the Winter

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG- Selling your home during the winter months can be a daunting task. However, there are distinct advantages to selling your home at this time of year. ... more

Energy-Saving Tips on Thanksgiving

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG- The Missoula Organization of Realtors offers some helpful tips on ways to cut down on gobbling up energy to help save money and be kind to the environment on Thanksgiving Day.... more

Will it be Denim or Diamonds on November 14?

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG-Support MOR for Kids, Garden City Harvest and the Missoula Children’s Museum at the annual charity auction Nov. 14th.... more

City of Missoula Announces: Leaf Collection Starts Tues., Nov. 4

The City of Missoula will begin fall leaf pickup on Tuesday, Nov. 4, starting in the downtown Special District #1. See your neighborhood leaf collection schedule here.... more

Missoula Housing Market Continues Steady Recovery

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Low inventory, higher interest rates and a harsh winter have contributed to fewer home sales and a higher median sold price in Missoula this year compared to last year.... more

Testing the Waters–Ensuring the Water You Drink is Healthy

Hard water is the leading water problem in America and, and Missoula and Western Montana are no exception. Here are few things to know about hard water and what to do about it:... more

YWCA Lecture Series: How Mobile Technology Has Influenced Rural Zambian Women

Fri. 8/15 from noon to 1 p.m. at YWCA Missoula, UC Santa Barbara Professor Lisa Parks looks at how increasing access to mobile technology has influenced the lives of rural Zambian women.... more

Hard Water Problems in Missoula

Hard water is the leading water problem in America and, and Missoula and Western Montana are no exception. Here are few things to know about hard water and what to do about it:... more

Pet Fest to Feature Davis’ Muttley Crew from America’s Got Talent!

The 9th Annual Pet Fest will celebrate International Homeless Animal’s Day at the Adams Center, Sat., Aug. 16, from 10am-3pm and features Davis' Muttley Crew from America's Got Talent.... more

Silver Summit: A Playground For Everyone, Makes Fundraising Push for Phase II

By Julie Emnett, Development Director, Child Care Resources It kind of started with a yellow swing. Jenny Montgomery, who is the Owner/Tasting Room Director of Montgomery Distillery, remembers coming to Mi... more

City of Missoula Responds to Winter Storm

Mayor John Engen has directed City snowplow crews to work at maximum capacity 24 hours a day with a focus on streets designated as Priority throughout the weekend’s winter storm.... more

It’s Time to Break Out the Snow Shovels

The City of Missoula asks all residents to keep their sidewalks clear. Shoveling the sidewalks in front of your property is not only a basic courtesy, it's the law.... more

A Great Contrast

By DAN SAXTON - The last couple weeks have been eye-opening to me as a new resident in Montana and as a lover of the outdoors. We plunged right from 85-degree temperatures to the 50’s and have stayed there.... more

What is Peakbagging?

By DAN SAXTON - Climbing mountains has always been my favorite activity. I am what many call a “peakbagger" - that is, one who primarily climbs mountains and has a set goal of summits to reach. ... more

Hiking Sawmill Gulch

By DAN SAXTON - Hiking Sawmill Gulch via the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area on the north side of Missoula is a wonderful opportunity to see majestic forest country within a half-hour’s drive from town.... more

For Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Rocky Mountain Map Gallery

By DAN SAXTON - Whether you're a hiker, climber, fisherman, hunter, or outdoor enthusiast in general, check out the incredible selection of maps at the Rocky Mountain Map Gallery.... more

Mount Sentinel: The Landmark of Missoula, Montana

By DAN SAXTON - The best way for me to get a feel for a new place is to climb the most prominent local mountains, and for Missoula, Mount Sentinel perfectly fits that bill. ... more

My Unique Situation in Missoula, Montana

By DAN SAXTON - So far, Missoula has been an awesome place to get to know. However, as someone with a hearing disability, I do face some unique challenges as I settle down here.... more

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation Issues $35,000 Challenge Grant for All-Abilities Playground Project

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation has issued a $35,000 challenge grant essentially doubling the impact of dollars donated for the All-Abilities Playground at McCormick Park. ... more

My First Impressions of Missoula, Montana

By Dan Saxton - I'd made the decision to Move to Missoula, MT. What would be my first impression of the Garden City? Was its beauty real or or simply ordinary--it's people hospitable and friendly?... more

So Why Missoula, Montana?

By Dan Saxton - I’ve recently arrived in Missoula after moving up from Southern California. Many may wonder: why did I leave the land of eternal sunshine; why Missoula, Montana?... more

Paul Queneau Showcases Missoula’s Stunning Fall Foliage

Paul Queneau sent us so many gorgeous fall color photos for his post, Missoula's Fall Colors: The Best Ever?, that we couldn't resist putting them all in one big gallery for you to enjoy.... more

Missoula’s Fall Color: The Best Ever?

By PAUL QUENEAU - I’m just going to say it: This might be the best fall color the Missoula Valley has ever seen. A bold statement, I know, but so are the colors.... more

Pet Licenses

Have pets? City and county ordinances require all dogs four months and older to be licensed. Licenses are timed to run concurrently with dog’s rabies vaccinations. New residents must purchase a dog license... more