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’

Gazpacho of the Americas

By CHEF HOWARD KARP - Summer has come to Montana with scorching temperatures that are making chilled soups from the bounty of summer gardens even more enticing.... more

This Fourth of July, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

To crack down on drunk driving this Fourth of July, Missoula law enforcement will be out in full force, aggressively targeting those who put lives in danger. ... more

The Children’s Museum is Volunteer Missoula’s Organization of the Month!

By JENNIFER PEPPROCK- Volunteer Missoula chose The Children’s Museum Missoula as our organization of the month! The Children's Museum has been "Making it Matter" in Missoula since 1994.... more

Leave Young Wildlife Where You Find Them

By TOM PALMER - Remember this advice if you see newborn wild animals: "If you care, leave them there." Do not move or attempt to feed newborn wildlife.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | June 29

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 29

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- After three years of legal wrangling the University of North Dakota has begun the process of selecting as nickname to replace “Fighting Sioux.”... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 29

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 June 29

Jobs this week: A Laundry Attendant/Presser, Equipment Mechanic, Mobile Home Set-up Worker, Behavior Intervention Specialist, Therapist, and more!... more

Summer Forecast has FWP Keeping Close Watch on Streams

By JOLEEN TADEJ - With high temperatures and depleted snowpack runoff, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is gearing up now to protect fish from stress of low flows and elevated water temperatures.... more

Parks and Recreation Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Playground Improvements

Missoula Parks and Rec invites citizens to learn more about and comment on "Operation Playground Build- proposed improvements at 10 city playgrounds.... more

Seven Grizzlies Named to USA College Football FCS Preseason All-America Team

By ERIC TABER-Seven Grizzlies named to USA College Football FCS Preseason All-America Team; Jones tops list, earning second team nod at Wide Receiver. ... more

Stop and Appreciate the Songbirds

By BRUCE AUCHLY - There is something about songbirds this time of year that can catch the ear, eye and heart of even the most preoccupied person.... more

Somewhere Beyond Lewistown

By ERIN TURNER - Somewhere beyond Lewistown, MT is the heart of “Nowhere” in a quaint little town called Winnett, Montana.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | June 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

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 22

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 June 22

Jobs this week: Overnight Baker, Auto tech, Admin Support, Youth Case Manager, Legal Secretary, Tire Technician, Cook, Salesperson, Cleaning Captain, Guest Service Agent and more!... more

Celebrating Fathers: A Tradition Started at the YMCA

Did you know that the first Father's Day celebration was on June 19, 1910 and started at the Spokane, Washington YMCA?... more

If Charlie Russell Painted Missile Silos

By MONTE DOLACK- What if Montana’s famous cowboy artist, Charlie Russell was living today? I have mused many times as to what shape his artworks would yield in today's world.... more

15th Annual Garden City River Rod Run

The 15th Annual Garden City River Rod Run, slated for Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27, will feature over 200 classic and hot rod cars.... more

Griz Track and Field Program Adds Eight Newcomers

By JOEL CARLSON-The Montana men’s track and field program signed eight athletes to National Letters of Intent over the last two months during the NCAA’s signing period that began April 15.... more

Own Your Own “Paint” Carousel Pony or “Scafti” the Dragon

By THERESA COX- Three very special carvings will go home with lucky winners following A Carousel for Missoula’s gala this Thursday, June 18, at the Ranch Club barn.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | June 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

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 15

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 June 15

Jobs this week: A Counter Person, a Production Technician, Entry Level Customer Service, Delivery Driver, Medical Claims Processor, Dispatcher or Logistics Specialist & More!... more

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders
Part 3 of 3

By PAUL WHEATON - I want to grow the future of permaculture. Not just with my ideas, but with 20 different artisans in seed and soil. Each permie would have their own vision for what is “best”.... more

Tips for dealing with a Rattlesnake Bite: Quick Tips to Save a Life

By CLAY SPRINGMEYER - If you follow these points, you can help save a life. However, the best life saver in the backcountry is situational awareness.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | June 8

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

Splash Montana Water Park Open Daily Beginning June 12

Missoula’s outdoor waterpark, Splash Montana, will begin its 10th season of daily operation on Friday, June 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of June 8

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN-This coming Thursday (June 11) marks the 135th anniversary of the birth of pioneering Congresswoman Jeanette Rankin. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 8

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 June 8

Jobs this week: A Human Resources Assistant, Construction Laborers, Event Services and Houing Manager, Sales and Services Assistant, Accounts Receivables, Maintenance Worker & More!... more

Play It Missoula! Downtown Pianos Delivered Friday, June 5

Three Play It Missoula! pianos will be delivered to Downtown locations this Friday, June 5, 2015 for First Friday festivities. You gotta check em out!... more

Top 9 First Friday Shows You Don’t Want to Miss

By MATT ANGLEN - First Friday Art Walk happens every single month in Missoula, come rain, or sleet, or pounding blizzard. Here is our top 9 list of Must See Events:... more

Saving Money on Your Summer Vacation

By ERIN TURNER - Here are some tips for making lifelong memories on your summer vacation without breaking the bank.... more

Salmonfly Mania in Missoula

By TONY REINHARDT -The time has finally arrived! Many anglers wait all year to chase the Salmonfly hatch, and you won’t find a much better place to do it than in Missoula. ... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | June 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 June 1

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- With the Early opener against North Dakota State the Grizzly football team will have two open weeks during the midst of the season.... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of June 1

Jobs this week: Marketing Assistant, Finance Specialist, Dispatch and Operations Team Member, Bakery Work, Deli Worker, Checker, Produce Clerk, Grocery Stockers and more!... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of June 1

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

Ladybugs To The Rescue

BY BOB WIRE- An estimated 10 quintillion insects are creeping around on the planet right now. That’s roughly the number of emails Hillary Clinton deleted from her personal account.... more

Fresh Alaskan Halibut

By CHEF HOWARD KARP- Of all of my Mediterranean fish recipes, this one is my favorite. The combination of fresh Alaskan halibut and savory sauce produces phenomenal flavors. ... more

Western Montana’s River Lovers Brace for Early Runoff

Rivers throughout western Montana could get lower than normal this summer, as an unusually low snowpack has melted away two or three weeks earlier than usual.... more

Organizing Gift Cards in a Binder

By ERIN TURNER - I love gift cards, but I hate when I unexpectedly find myself in a restaurant and realize I've left the gift card for that restaurant at home in the drawer. ... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 25

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- The coaching change in the Florida Gators men's basketball inspires two trivia related to UM Athletics.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of May 25

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 May 25

Jobs this week: A Director of Operations, Assistant Manager, Cleaning Technician, Administrative Clerk, General Laborer, Communications Specialist, Nursery Worker and More!... more

Summer Season Begins in Glacier National Park

Memorial Day Weekend marks beginning of primary visitation season at national park.... more

Mowing the Grass to Make Some Lettuce

BY BOB WIRE- My son, Rusty is trying to get a part-time job for the summer. Rather than donating plasma or sperm, I suggested he try his hand at lawn mowing.... more

Grizzlies Announce That All 11 Football Games to be Televised

By MIKE HANSON - University of Montana Athletic Director Kent Haslam announced on Wednesday that all 11 games of the 2015 football season will be televised.... more

Pasternak is the 2015 Northern Rockies Physical Therapy Scholarship Recipient

Northern Rockies Physical Therapy (NRPT) is proud to announce Sentinel High School Graduate, Sydney Pasternak, as the 2015 Northern Rockies Physical Therapy Scholarship recipient.... more