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 ‘City of Missoula’

No Change in Our Approach, Mayor Says in Wake of Carlyle’s Attempt to Sell Mountain Water

Mayor says today’s announcement that Carlyle reached an agreement to sell Mountain Water and its sister companies to a Canadian corporation won’t change the way the City of Missoula litigates its case again... more

Stage I Fire Restrictions to Begin Thursday

The City of Missoula will join other West Central Montana fire agencies in enacting Stage I fire restrictions early Thursday morning August 7.... more

Missoula’s Annual Chip Seal Program Begins

City of Missoula Street Division crews begin applying oil and chips to city streets on Monday, July 28, in the City’s annual Chip Seal Street Maintenance Program. Missoula annually seals the surface of ab... more

City of Missoula Serious About Fireworks Enforcement

The use of most fireworks in the city of Missoula is illegal, and City leaders are serious about enforcement.... more

Sunday Streets Missoula, Higgins Edition, June 1, 2014

Get Moving and Get connected while celebrating sustainable transportation and healthy living at the Higgins Edition of Sunday Streets Missoula on June 1, 2014 ... more

5th Annual Missoula Mile Benefits Team Up Montana And Men’s Cancer Awareness

By Eva Dunn- Run Wild Missoula’s 5th Annual Missoula Mile will be on Sun, June 1 at 9:00 am. Proceeds benefit Team Up Montana and men’s cancer awareness and treatment programs. ... more

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month: Share the Road

Motorcyclists will be out in force as the weather gets warmer, which is why May is the perfect time for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Missoula.... more

Missoula Runners Prove Their Resilience in 2014 Boston Marathon

By Eva Dunn-Froegbig - 13 Missoulians ran in the 2014 Boston Marathon. So what did it mean to them this year? For some it meant unfinished business; for others they ran to show support for the victims.... more

Celebrate Arbor Month with 22nd Annual Run for the Trees April 12

Register for the 22nd annual Run for The Trees on Saturday, April 12, at 9 a.m. 1-mile, 5K or 10K, races with proceeds used to help plant new trees in Missoula parks and schools.... more

City of Missoula Announces 2014 Street Cleaning Program

Spring is here, and the Missoula Street Maintenance Division will begin its street cleaning schedule on Tuesday, April 1 with cleaning take place Mon-Fri in the following zones: ... more

Run Wild Missoula Contributes $20,000 to Hellgate Track Resurfacing Project

Run Wild Missoula has contributed $20,000 to the resurfacing of Hellgate Track at John Toole Park (Riverbowl).... more

Tuesday’s City News: Avalanche Danger, Potholes, Flooding

City of Missoula employees are removing downtown snow berms, clearing storm drains, filling sandbags, and repairing potholes that are erupting with the temperature change.... 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

Recreation Program Cancellations and Currents Aquatics Center Closure

Due to severe weather conditions, Parks and Recreation and Currents Aquatics Center announce the following schedule changes. Please check local media or the City of Missoula website for updates.... more

Missoula Firefighter to Compete in Combat Challenge During the Cotton Bowl

By JUSTIN WALSH - Missoula firefighter Joe Waggett to race in a special Firefighter Combat Challenge at the AT&T Cotton Bowl on January 3rd. ... 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

2013 Parade of Lights and Lighting of the Tree Sat. Dec 7

By LINDA McCARTHY - The quintessential holiday event in Missoula, Montana is the 11th annual Parade of Lights and the Lighting of the Tree, which this year will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7. ... more

City’s Urban Forestry Division to Replace 79 Ailing Street Trees

F.Y.I. - Missoula’s urban forest is getting some much-needed attention as City arborists work with residents to replace 79 dead or dying boulevard trees throughout Missoula.... more

Added Patrols Working to Deter Impaired Driving for Halloween

If you think about driving drunk this Halloween, the Missoula Police Department has a message for you: Keep the party off the road. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.... more

Leaf Collection Starts Tuesday Nov 5

The City of Missoula will begin fall leaf pickup on Tuesday, Nov. 5, starting in the downtown District #1. The schedule starts in older neighborhoods with mature trees and the highest volume of leaves. ... more

Domestic Partnership Registry Open Today

Domestic partners in Montana now have a place to register their relationships. In July, the Missoula City Council approved a resolution creating a Domestic Partnership Registry.... more

Missoula’s Annual Chip Seal Program Begins

F.Y.I. - Missoula City Street Division crews begin applying oil and chips as part of the City’s annual Chip Seal Street Maintenance Program on Monday, July 29.... more

City Unveils Draft Site Plan for Hellgate Park

Citizens are invited to an open house to view the draft Master Plan for Hellgate Park on Tuesday, June 11, at 6:30 p.m., at the Montech Building, 1121 E. Broadway.... more

City Requires Owners to Leash Dogs Near Grazing Sheep on Open Space

The City’s woolliest employees will be back at work this Sunday helping Missoulians rid the North Hills of noxious weeds. Please help protect the herd from off-leash dogs.... more

City of Missoula Wants You to Report Potholes

The City of Missoula’s asphalt recycler has produced 507 tons of hot-mix asphalt for patching potholes since our crews first fired it up in February 2012. What that means is • Street Maintenance Division... more

Missoula Goes Hands-Free December 5th

FYI - The City of Missoula’s new ordinance prohibiting the use of hand-held cell phones while driving a vehicle goes into effect Wednesday, Dec. 5.... more

New “Zoo City” License Plate Provides Recreation Grants for Low-Income Kids

a NEW Parks and Recreation license plate, featuring Missoula artist Monte Dolack’s iconic print, “Zoo City” benefits Youth Recreation Grants for Low-income kids.... more

Fireworks Illegal in Missoula City Limits and Parts of County

The City of Missoula reminds us that fireworks are illegal within the city limits, as well as in county parks and in forested lands throughout the state.... more

Snowstorm Message from Mayor Engen

NEWS RELEASE - In light of this week's snowstorm, Mayor John Engen released this statement this morning. It includes information about snow plowing, road closures, and more.... more