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’

Phase II of Silver Summit Playground Opens Saturday

The public is invited to the Phase II opening celebration of Silver Summit Playground on Sat., Aug. 22 at 11am. Phase I of the all-abilities playground opened last fall.... more

Griz Senior Profile: Meet Chris Lider

By ERIC TABER-When Montana senior punter/kicker Chris Lider walked into Washington-Grizzly Stadium as a freshman, there weren’t many familiar faces to welcome him.... more

Griz Basketball Releases Strong 2015-16 Schedule

By Eric Taber - The defending Big Sky Conference champion Montana Grizzlies will play one of the toughest nonconference schedules in program history to start the 2015-16 season.... more

Mom Help: Top 10 Toddler Hot Spots in Missoula

By KIM S. - Whether you're a new mom and dad, grandparent, or babysitter it’s imperative that you have a go-to list of a couple Toddler Hot Spots here in Missoula.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | Aug 17

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 August 17

Featured Jobs: General Laborers, Machinist, Laborers for a Sawmill, Roofer/Shingler, Siding Installer, Heavy Equipment Operator, Construction Laborer, Dump Truck Drivers, Yard Laborers and more!... more

Pieces Falling Into Place for Griz After Second Scrimmage

By ERIC TABER - After the second scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday morning, the general consensus coming from Washington-Grizzly Stadium: a cleaner and crisper performance on both sides of the ball.... more

Griz Senior Profile: Meet Derek Crittenden

By ERIC TABER-Griz senior Derek Crittenden is in fall camp, getting ready to finish his fifth full year at the University of Montana as a member of the football program.... more

City Preparing for Predicted Thunderstorms

City and County emergency services are prepared for possible thunderstorms and high winds which are forecast to hit western Montana Friday afternoon and evening. ... more

Griz Produce Highlights in First Scrimmage of Season

By ERIC TABER - The Montana Grizzlies came out and ran roughly 75 plays in about an hour on Monday afternoon, scoring 16 points in the team’s first scrimmage of the fall season.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of August 10

Featured Jobs this week: Executive Assistant, Wait Staff and Cooks, Administrative Assistant, Millwright, Paint and Glass Salesperson, Education Video Game Development Supervisor, and more!... more

Griz Football Schedules Pac-12 and FCS Opponents

The Montana Grizzlies football team will get a crack at some new FCS programs, as well as some of the top teams in the nation, as future schedule details have been announced through 2021.... more

The Pimps of Joytime Perform at the Top Hat Aug 20

Top Hat Entertainment presents genre defying, Brooklyn-bred The Pimps of Joytime at the Top Hat on Thursday, August 20.... more

Crittenden and Jones Voted Griz Football Captains

By ERIC TABER - The Montana Grizzlies have voted, and seniors Derek Crittenden and Jamaal Jones are the 2015 team captains.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | Aug 3

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

Griz Open Fall Drills on Tuesday

By ERIC TABER-The University of Montana football squad opens its fall drills Tuesday morning with the season’s first practice session in Washington-Grizzly Stadium set for 9 a.m.... more

The Great Debate: School Bedtime During the Summer

By ERIN TURNER-There's a debate amongst parents about how to handle the last days of summer with their school aged children. What time is bed time?... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of August 3

Jobs this week: Senior Accounting Clerk, Accounting Manager, Patient Account Specialist, Administrative Assistant, Community Corrections Officer, Delivery Drivers and More!... more

Mom Help: 16 Things to Prepare for Your Hospital Stay

By KIM S. - As a mom who had 3 C-sections the lists was pretty simple as for what to bring and not bring for our stay at the hospital. Here's my list of 16 MUST haves.... more

Missoula Job Service Hosts Mini Job Fairs

Missoula Job Service will host three mini job fairs in the office next week. Local employers are looking for food-service employees, caregivers, cashiers, and warehouse workers.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | July 27

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 Baby Will Make Three

By CHERY SAYBOL- When Ellen Marceau has her third baby in November, it will be with the confidence of a mother who has already had two very different birthing experiences. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of July 27

Jobs this week: A Fire Chief, Senior Accountant, Veterinarian Assistant/Tech, Trainer/Staff Development Specialist, Sales Associate, Concrete Pump Operator, and More!... more

Tips for Fishing Through the Hoot Owl Restrictions

By TONY REINHARDT-Many assume that because there are fishing restrictions then the fishing must not be very good, not true. Changing your strategy a little can pay off in these conditions.... more

Expectations of Parenthood

By ERIN TURNER - This summer my oldest child turns 16 yrs old. Where did the time go? I'm reminiscing about that first pregnancy--which seems like only a moment ago.... more

Griz Picked to Finish Third in 2015 BSC Preseason Poll

The University of Montana Grizzlies have been picked to finish third in 2014 Big Sky Conference preseason polls by both the media and the league coaches the conference announced today.... more

Griz Land Four Players on Preseason All-Conference Teams

By ERIC TABER - The University of Montana Grizzlies have landed two offensive players and two defensive players on the Big Sky Conference all-league teams announced today.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | July 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

Are you Testing Your Drinking Water?

Arsenic is fairly common in Montana’s groundwater--especially in mountainous areas where well water is affected. Are you testing your drinking water?... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of July 20

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- While Bob Stitt’s new team open the season against a reigning national Champion in North Dakota State his former team gets their shot at a defending national champ.... more

Missoula Police Emphasize Pedestrian Crossing Safety

The Missoula Police Department will conduct Pedestrian Crossing Emphasis Patrols beginning this week in an effort to enforce pedestrian crossing laws within the city limits. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of July 20

Jobs this week: A Human Resource Manager, Medical Claims Processor, General Warehouse/Driver Associate, Laborers, Delivery Driver, Office/Physical Therapy Aid, Armed Security Officer & more!... more

Fairy Tale and Superhero Festival is July 25

By THERESA COX - Calling all magical beings to attend the Fairy Tale and Superhero Festival on Sat., July 25, from 10am to noon, in the grassy field to the west of Dragon Hollow.... more

Junkpole Fence: Freaky Cheap Chicken/Deer Fence

By PAUL WHEATON - We needed a permanent fence that would keep flighty chickens (layers) in and keep the deer and the wild turkeys out. This fence went up mighty fast and cheap.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | July 13

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

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of July 13

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of July 13

Jobs this week: A Medical Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, Lawn Mainenance, Sushi Chef, Kitchen Assistants, Head Cook, Medical Receptionist, Exhibition Coord./Museum Collections Specialist & more!... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of July 13

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- Kraig Paulson was the first Griz to make “ 37” significant and began the tradition of passing the number onto to a Montana native.... more

DQ Ice Cream Tokens Donated to Missoula Police Department

Officers will be on the lookout for children on bikes who are wearing their helmet and will provide them with a token good for an ice cream cone or a Dilly Bar.... more

UM and Root Sports Announce Fall Start Times

By JOEL CARLSON - ROOT Sports announced the kickoff times this week for its 2015 Big Sky Conference package of football games including 5 with Montana. See the schedule.... more

Hal’s Walk Dedication Set for July 10

Staff members and friends of the Missoula Redevelopment Agency and the late Hal Fraser will dedicate a new riverfront walk honoring him. The Hal's walk Celebration is on Fri. July 10 at 10am. ... more

Lady Griz Fans Do it Again, Rank in Top 40 in Nation for Attendance

By JOEL CARLSON - For the 30th time in the last 31 years, the Montana women’s basketball team has ranked in the top 40 in the nation in home attendance. ... more

Becoming an Outdoors Woman Summer Workshop August 7-9

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' popular Becoming an Outdoors-Woman summer workshop is set for Aug. 7-9 at Lubrecht Forest, east of Missoula.... more

Preventing Conflicts with Bears

By JOLEEN TADEJ - Already this year, bears have traveled the river corridors – Sun, Marias, Dearborn and Teton – east from the Rocky Mountain Front looking for natural foods.... more

Beat The Heat Roll-Up Snack

By ERIN TURNER - We had friends visiting and their son has Juvenile Diabetes so I wanted to be sure I had appropriate food and snacks for him. Here's one that fits the bill and beats the heat:... more

Trout in Hot Water

By TRISTAN SCOTT - Historic stream temperature highs, low flows threaten Northwest Montana's cold-water fish.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of July 6

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- OOPS!!... We made a significant blooper in this space a few weeks ago and need to correct the record.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of July 6

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of July 6

Jobs this week: Housekeepers, Sobriety and Accountability Tech, Restaurant Workers, Permit Specialist, Equipment Sales person, Small-engine mechanic, Mail Delivery Driver and more!... more

Montana Tops League in Academic All-Big Sky Conference Selections

By JOEL CARLSON - Montana’s spring sports placed a league-high 62 student-athletes on the recent Academic All-Big Sky Conference teams giving the Grizzlies a record 155 selections for the 2014-15 academic yea... more