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’

Healthy, Frugal Spinach Smoothies

By ERIN TURNER-I’ve had lots of people asking me for my recipe for Green Smoothies. Since spinach season is at its peak right now, I thought I'd share my recipe.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of July 7

Check out the various bands and live music all over town sprinkled with an occasional farmers market and fundraisers. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of July 7

This Week's Jobs: An Executive Director of a non-profit, Marketing/Development Director, Human Resource Coordinator, Chinking & Staining Laborer, Delivery Driver, Nusery Worker & More.... more

Things To Do In Las Vegas When You’re Dead

By BOB WIRE-Broke, that is. Dead broke. I think we are all familiar enough with Sin City's over-the-top entertainment torrent to know that there is no end to the list of stuff to do in Las Vegas.... more

Helen McAuslan: The Kent State Paintings

On loan from the Museum of the Rockies, these important paintings were produced following the Kent State tragedy by Montana artist Helen McAuslan.... more

Garden City Brew Unveiled July 10; Benefits WORD

The Missoula County Tavern Owners Association as well as four local breweries are pleased to announce the next Garden City Community Brew-- Lemon Lager brewed by Big Sky Brewing Company. ... more

Missoula Police Crack Down On DUI Over The Holiday

Missoula Police and Montana Highway Patrol officers will be out in force over the long holiday weekend to aggressively target drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs.... more

Missoula to Host Regional Firefighter Combat Challenge July 4-5

The Missoula Combat Challenge Team, holding two World Championships and the current team World Record, will be hosting a regional competition in Missoula July 4th and 5th in Downtown Missoula.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 30

Check out the various bands and live music all over town sprinkled with an occasional farmers market and fundraisers. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of June 30

This Week's Jobs: An Archivist, Volunteer Coordinator, Machinist, Paralegal, Delivery Driver/loader and a Deli Supervisor.... more

Let’s Talk About Toilet Paper

By BOB WIRE-We're talking about toilet paper. I won't even get into that whole "over vs. under" issue. That's a passionate holy war akin to the Mac vs PC debate. A little toilet paper cultural history here:... 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

Chilled Yellow Corn Soup

By CHEF HOWARD KARP-Perfect for summertime get togethers and family style dinners, here’s a refreshing and tasty chilled soup that presents well with striking colorful garnishments.... more

Lady Griz To Be Tested Early in 2014-15

By JOEL CARLSON-After opening at home against Montana Western on Nov. 17, Montana will play 3 of its next 4 games on the road against teams that advanced to the WNIT in March.... more

Garden City River Rod Run to Celebrate 50 Years of the Ford Mustang

The 14th Annual Garden City River Rod Run will celebrate 50 Years of the Ford Mustang in Caras Park, Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28. ... more

No. 1 Big Sky Men’s Athlete: Montana’s Dave Dickenson

By JON KASPER - A few blocks north of the oil refinery in a middle-class neighborhood, he was bound to be playing sports.One day it was football, the next basketball or baseball. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 23

Check out the various bands and live music all over town sprinkled with an occasional farmers market and fundraisers. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of June 23

This Week's Jobs: A foreign Car Auto technician, CNC machine operator, Direct Support Professionals, Life Enrichment Coordinator, Preschool teacher and full & part-time Caregivers. ... more

Staying Motivated And Avoiding Coupon Burnout

By ERIN TURNER- Have you hit burn out in your couponing? Does the thought of clipping another coupon cause you to have a melt down? ... more

Prevent Conflicts With Bears

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Here are some tips from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks that will help in preparing for bear-safe outings this summer.... more

DeCuire Announces Griz Basketball Coaching Staff

By DAVE GUFFEY - First-year University of Montana men’s basketball mentor Travis DeCuire has selected his assistant coaches, he announced today (Thursday, June 19).... more

Local Artists and Missoula Food Bank Partner for Hunger Awareness

Empty Bowls, Full Souls is an annual hunger-awareness event hosted by Missoula Food Bank. This year’s event will take place at Ten Spoon Vineyard + Winery on Wednesday, June 25 from 6-8pm. ... more

Bob Wire’s On the Course. FORE!

By BOB WIRE - Like a lot of men, I enjoy doing things that I’m not very good at. Like golf. I’ve played since high school, but never enough to get to the point where I’m consistently breaking 80.... more

What to do About Workplace Washout?

By CHERY SABOL - Most everyone has encountered an underachiever. These are the bounced checks of the work force. The Missoula Job service offers three ways to avoid them.... more

Keep Backyards Bear Resistant

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Bear activity is picking up in many Montana neighborhoods and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is asking residents to keep bear attractants contained.... more

World’s Largest Swim Lesson Event at Splash Montana This Friday

This Friday, June 20, tens of thousands of participants from hundreds of locations are teaming up to help prevent childhood drowning by spreading the word Swimming Lessons Save Lives™.... more

As Movie Premiers, Cut Bank Readies for the Spotlight

By JUSTIN FRANZ-The small Hi-Line community of Cut Bank is bracing for its 15 minutes of fame as a feature length film of the same name is due to premier on June 16 at the Los Angeles Film Festival. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 16

Check out the various bands and live music all over town sprinkled with an occasional farmers market and fundraisers. ... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of June 16

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- Sometimes a coaching change leads to immediate improvement, but for the Grizzlies it’s been a mixed blessing with the last 3 Griz football coaches having fewer wins in their first sea... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of June 16

This Week's Jobs: A Delivery Driver, Store Supervisor, Plastic Fabricator, Retail Positions, and four Retail Associates including Sales, Cashier, a Merchandise Processor and a Pricer.... more

Ladder Golf, the Latest in One-Handed Sports

By BOB WIRE - It’s called ladder golf, and it is to white trash what polo is to the filthy rich. And I am hooked.... more

Keen on Mason Bees

By PAUL WHEATON-And now boys and girls, it is time for Uncle Paul to tell you about the birds and the bees. Or, more accurately, the flowers and the bees. And, even more accurately: Flower sex.... more

Hall Hoping to Leave Mark at NCAA Track & Field Championships

By JOEL CARLSON - The one thing Montana senior Lindsey Hall's plump resume is lacking: A who-is-that-and-where-did-she-come-from performance on the national stage. She'll get that chance this week at the NCAA c... more

Griz Great Larry Krystokowiak Named No. 2 Male Athlete in Big Sky History

By JON KASPER- Larry Krystkowiak, a 6-foot-4 budding prep star from Shelby, Mont., ranks second on the Big Sky Conference's list of "50 Greatest Male Athletes.... more

Johnson Named to CFPA’S Quarterback Watch List

By DAVE GUFFEY-The University of Montana's Jordan Johnson has been placed on the 2014 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS Awards Watch List for quarterbacks.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 9

Check out the various bands and live music all over town sprinkled with an occasional farmers market and fundraisers. ... more

Easy Batch Eggs

By ERIN TURNER- Here's my new favorite way to cook a large batch of eggs. It's quick and easy!... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of June 9

This Week's Jobs: An Administrative Assistant, Communications Director, Professional Driver, Paralegal and Administrative Assistant.... more

Northern Rockies Physical Therapy Scholarship Awarded to Sentinel Senior

Northern Rockies Physical Therapy is proud to announce Sentinel High School graduate Ryan Nagel as the 2014 Northern Rockies Physical Therapy Scholarship recipient.... more

TV or Not TV, That is the Question

By BOB WIRE - Our 32” tube TV, which seemed like a JumboTron when we bought it in 2002, had gone to that big Radio Shack in the sky. Buying a new set was going to require some major education.... more

The Next Generation–Take a Kid Fishing!

By TONY REINHARDT - Do you remember the first time you went fishing, or the first fish you caught? Odds are it was a father, grandpa, or mentor who took you out on that first trip. ... more

Cabela’s Prepares for Grand Opening of Missoula Store

Cabela’s Incorporated, the World’s Foremost Outfitter® of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, will celebrate the grand opening of its Missoula Cabela’s Outpost store Thurs., June 12.... more

Selvig’s Career No. 2 on Big Sky’s “Greatest Moments” List

By JOEL CARLSON - The Big Sky Conference office suggested this article, an ode to the No. 2 entry on its “25 Greatest Women’s Moments” list, be titled “Death, Taxes and Robin Selvig.” ... more

DeCuire Formally Introduced as Griz Basketball Coach

By DAVE GUFFEY - Travis DeCuire was formally introduced as the UM's 27th men’s head basketball coach today at a press conference in the in UM’s Adams Center/Dahlberg Arena.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of June 2

This Week's Jobs: A Journeyman Lineman, Programmer, Auto Parts counter Person, Delivery Driver and Small Engine Mechanic.... more

Quick and Easy Shower Cleaning

By ERIN TURNER- I have a secret weapon that helps me maintain a sparkling clean shower--it involves one small tool and two ingredients you'll find around the house.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 2

Check out the various bands and live music all over town sprinkled with an occasional farmers market and fundraisers. ... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of June 2

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- Travis Decuire got off to a fast start at Montana as a player. In his first start as the Griz point guard in November of 1991 Decuire helped lead the Griz to a 77-38 rout of PAC-12 powe... more

Hall Breaks School Record, Griz Conclude West Regional

By JOEL CARLSON - Montana senior Lindsey Hall broke her own school record in the 100-meter hurdles Saturday evening at the NCAA West Regional, but she came up short in her attempt to make nationals in the event... more

Former Griz Standout Travis Decuire Named Montana Basketball Coach

Travis DeCuire (pronounced: dee-cure) has been selected to be the University of Montana’s 27th head men’s basketball coach, announced UM Director of Athletics Kent Haslam on Saturday, May 31, 2014. DeCu... more