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 ‘Downtown Missoula’

Small Business Saturday Kicks Off Holiday Season in Downtown Missoula

Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is by shopping and dining in Downtown Missoula during Small Business Season, starting with Small Business Saturday on Nov. 25th.... more

5 Insanely Creative and Fun Things to do in Missoula

From local farmer's markets to natural hot springs, we've compiled a list of the top-rated places to check out in The Garden City.... more

Register Today for the River City Roots Run and SUP Cup

The 10th annual River City Roots Festival is next weekend. Register for the four-mile fun run and the stand-up paddle board contest. Both races will be held on Sat., Aug. 29th.... more

Mary Beth Percival: Missoula Painter in the Medium of Watercolor

By MONTE DOLACK - My wife Mary Beth Percival works mainly in watercolor and has always been passionate about the Montana landscape and it’s dramatic big sky. A special exhibition of her work is currently on v... more

Airstream: Where Classic Meets Contemporary

By CLAY SPRINGMEYER - Ready for a new take on a timeless tradition? Check out the Bretz RV Airstream Trailer Show this Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM at Caras Park. ... more

Celebrate Kids’ Day at the Carousel

A Carousel for Missoula will be celebrating its 20th birthday on Sat., May 23. Come enjoy FREE rides on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. ... more

Out to Lunch & Downtown ToNight Summer Series Kicks Off

The 2015 Summer Series kicks off June 3rd and 4th and is sure to be exciting as the MDA celebrate 30 years of Out to Lunch and 15 years of Downtown ToNight.... 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

2 Rivers + 2 Hours = Missoula Fun

By JASON SHREDER - Many towns, such as Boise, Asheville, and Bend boast great river opportunities in or close to town--but here's why Missoula trumps them all when it comes to river fun.... more

Downtown Pianos Debut Public Art Friday, May 1

Four Play It Missoula! community pianos will be painted by local artists in the public’s view during First Friday Gallery Night this Friday, May 1 from 5-8 pm in Downtown Missoula.... more

Better Than Netflix: The Roxy is Your Community Cinema

By Matt Anglen- Missoula is firmly rooted in what I call Movie Season. It’s the time of year when all you want to do is warm yourself by the glow of celluloid and think about spring.... more

Celebrating 15 Years: Humanties Montana’s Festival of the Book

One of the biggest cultural happenings in the Northwest, the 15th annual Festival of the Book happens this weekend with nearly 60 literary events featuring over 80 authors, poets, and artists.... more

Missoula’s PartnersCreative Named One of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work 2014

Missoula-based marketing agency PartnersCreative has been selected one of Outside magazine’s Best Places to Work 2014.... more

Dressing Up Downtown: Missoula Art Museum’s Upcoming Art Park

By MATT ANGLEN- Congratulations. You may not know it now, but you picked an awesome place to go to school. To help you get acquainted with Missoula, here’s a short list of awesomeness. ... more

9th Annual River City Roots Festival Aug 23-24 in Downtown Missoula

Grammy Award winner Sam Bush headlines the admission-free, 2014 River City Roots Festival Aug. 23-24 in downtown Missoula. Welcome Home UM students! ... more

The 2014 Out to Lunch & Downtown ToNight Seasons Kick-Off June 4 & 5

Missoula’s favorite summer dining and entertainment series in Caras Park kicks off June 4 & 5, 2014.... 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

Downtown Flower Baskets Scheduled For Hanging May 20

Missoula’s beloved Downtown Flower Baskets are scheduled to go up on Tuesday, May 20 beginning at 5:30 pm. Volunteers will place the baskets created by Pink Grizzly.... more

Saturday’s Right On Track with Missoula Farmers’ Market

Missoula Farmers’ Market opens for its 42nd Season this Saturday, May 10, from 8am to 12:30pm. Returning and new vendors of seasonal fruits and vegetables, preserves, flowers, and more.... more

Missoula’s 2014 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festivities

By AUSTIN SMITH - Grab your shamrocks, green beer and Tylenol because Missoula’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities are coming up this Saturday, March 15! ... more

Commissions, Collaborations, and the Workshop Life

By MONTE DOLACK - As a maker of paintings I am constantly thinking about images and concepts I want to create. Some of them have been put off for years and others have just come to light.... more

Max Wave Fundraiser at Flathead Lake Brewery

The Max Wave will have a fundraiser tomorrow (June 25, 2013) at Flathead Lake Brewery. $1 of every pint sold between 6pm and 8pm will be donated to Max Wave. ... more

New Retail Stores Open in Downtown Missoula

By LINDA McCARTHY - In many ways, 2013 feels like true end to the recent recession, given the number of new retail businesses openings and construction projects in Downtown Missoula.... more

Downtown Missoula Features Brand-New Dining Destinations

By LINDA McCARTHY - The Garden City is rich with exceptional, creative, affordable and elegant options for enjoying a night–or morning–out on the town. Here is an overview of Downtown Missoula’s newest re... more

Mary Beth Percival: Missoula Painter in the Medium of Watercolor

By MONTE DOLACK - My wife Mary Beth Percival works mainly in watercolor and has always been passionate about the Montana landscape and it’s dramatic big sky. A special exhibition of her work is currently on v... more

21st Annual Garden City BrewFest Among Events to Kick Off Spring in Missoula

The Missoula Downtown Association will host the 21st Annual Garden City BrewFest this Saturday, May 4 from 12-8pm in Caras Park. This annual event draws 6,000 attendees to sample 70 beers and 12 wines. ... more

Building More Sustainable Communities: Like Minded Efforts in Palmerston North and Missoula

By LINDA MCCARTHY - I recently took a field trip with Massey University's Christine Cheyne to learn about Palmy’s efforts to build a more sustainable community and to share what Missoula is doing to be more s... more

Beer Battle: Montana Taverns Versus Montana Breweries

By RYAN NEWHOUSE - If you have enjoyed a pint of Montana beer in your favorite bar or brewery recently, chances are you have heard about the legislative “slug fest” playing out in Helena this session.... more

Missoula Downtown Association Readies for the Third Winter Brewfest

By RYAN NEWHOUSE - Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, or ice will keep Missoulians from their brewfests. On Feb. 15, the 3rd MDA Winter Brewfest will be held at Caras Park.... more

Photo Gallery: Signs of Missoula

By ERIN STONER - If you wander downtown Missoula long enough, you'll notice some little eponymous gems hidden amongst the brick and mortar.... more