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 ‘Moving’ Category

To Stay Put or Uproot? SPACE ODDITY

By JENNIFER SLAYDEN - Space. It matters! So when it comes to buying, here are a few start up questions to begin defining the type of space your would like for your home.... more

Location, Location, Location!

By JENNIFER SLAYDEN - Location, location, location! Yes, the most overused phrase in Real Estate can seem as obnoxious as the Brady Bunch phrase, “Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!” ... 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

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

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

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

When it Comes to Mortgages, What’s in a Team?

By TRINA MURPHY - It's college basketball time...and the parallels between basketball and the team work required to get a home mortgage are really quite uncanny. Here's why: ... more

When it Comes to Mortgages, Just Say NO to Acronyms

By TRINA MURPHY - APR, LOE, VOD, TILA, LTV… No wonder folks applying for a mortgage are dazed and confused. Who can blame them? OMG!!!... more

My Inexpensive, DIY Kitchen Remodel

By LISA HENSLEY - When we moved into our house, we planned to update the kitchen. In the end, we saved thousands of dollars refinishing the cabinets ourselves.... more

The Dog Days of Missoula’s Pet Ordinance

By DANIELLE LATTUGA--DOGTOWN MISSOULA. We need to get more creative about the “dog issues” that arise in our community. Responsible dog ownership doesn’t seem to be intuitive for a lot of folks. It is a l... more

Fireworked – Dogs and Fireworks

By Danielle Lattuga--DOGTOWN MISSOULA. I know, everyone looks forward to 4th of July weekend—well at least most humans in our town do. I really don’t have much use for the rest of it. And those fireworks...... more

Ben Afraid of Thunder

ALL NEW blog by PAM VOTH--DOGTOWN MISSOULA. I approached slowly, and beckoned. He came towards me. “Do you want to go for a ride?” All dogs have magic words that make them happy. Being a Missoula dog, I gu... more

Missoula Dogs About Town

ALL NEW blog by Danielle Lattuga--DOGTOWN MISSOULA. I’ve never known life in Montana without dogs. At 22, I drove a U-haul from Vermont, my white, blue-eyed, punk rock husky riding shotgun. (He was punk rock... more

I Think I’m Gonna Like This Town

ALL NEW blog by PAM VOTH--DOGTOWN MISSOULA. The first time I met Missoula was exactly 3 weeks before I moved here permanently. My plan was just an out-and-back. Just attend the International Wildlife Film Fest... more

The Every Day-ness of Earth Day

By RYAN NEWHOUSE. April 22 is nationally recognized as Earth Day, that one day of the year where kind-minded folks and hip organizations bring out their recycling, plant gardens and clean up parks, beaches and ... more

Let’s Get Around . . . with Missoula Maps

By RYAN NEWHOUSE. I love maps. It doesn’t matter if it’s a world map, neighborhood map or a fake treasure map.... more

Jackson Hole and Bru Ha Ha

By BOB ZIMORINO. On the 8th of October in 1975, two weeks and a day shy of my twenty second birthday, I left New York State with my friends Billy and John. There we were, three guys with two dogs and all of our... more

Missoula Needs Snow Angels

By RYAN NEWHOUSE. As snow has finally blanketed the streets, trails and sidewalks of Missoula, the City and the Bicycle-Pedestrian Program Manager are asking everyone to do their part to keep the sidewalks in ... more

Anywhere But Missoula, MT

11/09 Blog by Elke Govertson. If you had asked me in college where I would live when I “settled down” (is that what has happened? I have settled? Like a flat cake? Like an upset stomach? Yikes.) I would hav... more

Googling God in the Garden City

10/18 Guest Blog by Tim Akimoff. I sat at the edge of the hotel bed and leafed casually through the yellow pages. Finding nothing, I opened the laptop and entered this into the search box: missoula alternative... more

Point A to Point B

Blog by Elke Govertsen of Mamalode. I love walking my kids to school this time of year. It is cold; our noses turn pink and runny. The sky is a quiet blue. It smells like smoke and lawns and apples. We pick... more

And So it Begins….

Blog by Elke Govertsen of Mamalode. We made it. We made it to that parenting milestone of having both kids in school full time. It is true—they go to the same place at the same time. Those of you with kidd... more

Governor Schweitzer says “Welcome”

Greetings, I am pleased to welcome you to Missoula, one of Big Sky Country’s most dynamic cities.  Tremendous recreational opportunities available year-round and a vibrant downtown social scene make Misso... 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

Vehicle Registration

First-Time Registration The Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) requires you to register a vehicle in your name if you have recently: Purchased a new or used vehicle Moved to the state ... 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

Voter Registration

If you're new to Missoula or simply need to register to vote, there are a number of places to in the city to complete your voter registration. As our national laws dictate, U.S. citizens may vote in nati... more