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 ‘Missoula’

Boulevard Trees Need Help to Survive Extreme Summer Heat

If hot summer days are leaving you thirsty, chances are your street trees need some water too.... more

City Brew Controversy Points The Way For Labor Rights

City Brew on Brooks St has been embroiled in a labor rights argument that has stretched now for weeks. ... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of Oct 3

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Once again the Grizzly defense is among the top in FCS. Among Big Sky teams the Griz has given the fewest first downs and are the top defense against third and fourth conversions.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of Sept 26

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - The Montana Grizzlies got single game record performances out of Jerry Louie McGee and Brady Gustafson, but it wasn't enough for the Griz to get the win at Cal Poly.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of Sept 19

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - The Montana Grizzly football team is off to its seventh 2-0 start since 2000 and in the previous six, the Griz have gone on to average 12 wins a season.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of Sept 12

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - The Montana Grizzly football team is off to its seventh 2-0 start since 2000 and in the previous six, the Griz have gone on to average 12 wins a season.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of Sept 5

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - The last time a UM team played at the UNI-Dome was when the Griz basketball team played there in November of 2001--and things went really bad for the Griz in the first half of that gam... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of Aug 22

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - When Robin Selvig took over the University of Montana women's basketball program it had won 32 games combined in the previous 4 years.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | Aug 22

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | Aug 15

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of Aug 15

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - When Robin Selvig took over the University of Montana women's basketball program it had won 32 games combined in the previous 4 years.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | Aug 1

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of Aug 1

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - It's hard to imagine going to game and not seeing Robin Selvig on the sidelines. The last time UM played a women's basketball game without Selvig was March 4, 1978.... more

Delivering Peach of Mind: What does Meals on Wheels Offer?

By WILL SCHULTZ - Meals on Wheels is a part of Missoula Aging Services that helps to deliver food to seniors and to those who are disabled so that they can live an independent life. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of July 25

Featured Jobs: A maintenance Lead, Bookkeeper, Overnight Baker, Cook and RV Camp Host, Bartender, Medicaid applicaitons Coordinator, Custodian and more!... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | July 25

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of July 25

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - For the first time in recent memories the Lumberjacks of NAU are picked as the pre-season favorite to win the Big Sky Title, a choice made both by both sports writers and coaches.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | July 18

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of July 18

Featured Jobs: Government Affairs Director, Lawn Maintenance and Ladscape Worker,Manager, Maintenance Lead, Administrative Assistant and more!... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of July 18

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - For the first time in over half a century the Griz will face the USC Trojans in basketball.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of July 11

Featured Jobs: A Respite Provider, Concrete-Pump Operator, Sales Associate, Assistant Manager, Shuttle Drivers, Reservation Agents and more!... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of July 11

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - The College World Series title won by Coastal Carolina in June marked the sixth time a school that has faced the Montana Grizzlies football team ( since 1960) has won the College Base... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | July 4

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of June 27

Featured Jobs: An HVAC/Refrigeration Tech, Warehouse Laborers, Production Tech, Custodian, Early Childhood Teacher, Customer Service Manger, Administrative Assistant and more!... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of June 27

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - I was delighted with the news last week that former Griz coach and playe,r Blaine Taylor, had gotten back into coaching.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of June 20

Featured Jobs: A Human Resources Manager, Laborer, Finance Manager, Yard Worker/Car Dismantler, Fleet/Facilities Superintendent, Emergency Services Dispatcher, and more!... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | June 20

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of June 20

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Missoula Osprey manager Joe Mather is doing something this season that none of the other three managers to guide the O's to a title did, come back the next year.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of June 13

Featured Jobs: A Bicycle Sales Associate, Residential Housekeepers, Concrete Batch Plant Operator, Truck Dispatcher, Truck Drivers, Mechanic and more!... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of June 13

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Hockey fans everywhere were saddened by the news of the passing of Gordie Howe, Mr. Hockey, to more than a generation.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of June 6

Featured Jobs: An Applications Engineer, Production Workers, Sharpeners, a Registered Nurse, Attorney, Housekeepers, Roofer/Shingler, Customer Service Rep and more!... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of June 6

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - It's hard to believe that it was 40 years ago this week that the first Wyoming-Montana all-star games were played.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | June 6

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Taking a Shakespearean Look at Honoring Volunteers

By WILL SCHULTZ - Last month I got to see a different side of the non-profit world as I attended the MAS’ “Celebration of National Volunteer Week!” event.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of May 30

Featured Jobs: A full-time HVAC Sales Position, Route Driver, Office Assistant, Hardlines and Firearms Department Manager, Mow Crews, Deli Worker, Bakery Worker, Meat Cutter and more!... more

The Poverello Center is Volunteer Missoula’s Organization of the Month

By WILL SCHULTZ - I recently had the pleasure of working with the Poverello Center and found the experience to be rich and very rewarding.... more

New Griz Vision Set for Washington-Grizzly Stadium

By ERIC TABER - The University of Montana released the design of the new video display system which will transform the game day experience at Washington-Grizzly Stadium with HD-quality video.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | May 30

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of May 23

Featured Jobs: Wildland Firefighters, Engine Bosses, Fuel Truck Driver, Water Tender Truck Operator, Junior Recreation Facilitator, Machine Maintenance Worker and more!... more

Building a Career: Students Can Learn a Trade AND Get Paid

By CHERY SAYBOL-Missoula high school students who are poised to finish their junior year have a chance to work this summer and lay a foundation for a job after graduation.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 23

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Later this week another High School sports season comes to an end as track and softball crown their Champions.... more

Holmes, Feller Named Grizzly Cup Winners

Tyrone Holmes, of the Montana football team, and McCalle Feller, of the Lady Griz basketball team, were named the annual winners of the Department of Athletics’ Grizzly Cup.... more

Missoula Community Band Presents 2016 Summer Band Concerts

The Missoula City Band announces its summer series for 2016. For well over a hundred years, we have been playing fine band music for the public in our open-air concerts.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 16

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - It's hard to put in perspective the accomplishment of the University of Montana Softball team in reaching the Big Sky Tournament.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of May 16

Featured Jobs: A research architectural historian, bank teller, telephone clerk, parking maintenance supervisor, warehouse/delivery driver, census surveyors & More!... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 11

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Twenty-five years ago this week the 1991 American Legion baseball season began, a season that would see the AA Mavericks claim a state title. ... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | May 9

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of May 9

Featured Jobs: An Assistant Pastry Chef, Graphic Designe, Director promoting school readiness, Laborer, Assembly Worker, Cooks & More!... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of May 1

Featured Jobs: A Senior Payroll Manager, Lube Technician, AR/Collections Clerk, Employment Consultant, Delivery Person, Deli Manager, Housekeeper, & More!... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 2

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Few Montana public officials have ever been more closely tied to a sport than the late Conrad Burns. Burns refereed in Montana high School football as well as the Frontier Conference.... more