When the large wooden “M” was destroyed by a blizzard in 1915, an even larger version was constructed of whitewashed granite. Sentinel.Ī larger, wooden version of the “M” was built in 1913 and upkeep of the structure was formally charged to each year’s freshman class. This “new and improved” version of the “M” cost $18 and was different from the structure we recognize today in that it stood upright on the face of Mt. Originally made of whitewashed rocks and only measuring 25 feet by 25 feet, the very first ““M”” was poorly constructed and ultimately replaced by a wooden “M” in 1912. (For those curious, it’s 1-3/4 miles to top of Mount Sentinel.)įirst constructed in 1908 by university students, Missoula’s hillside “M” has evolved over the years to become what many consider to be the most recognizable landmark in Missoula. Although it’s just 3/4 mile to “M,” it seems much further with its steep incline and 11 switchbacks.

Sentinel sits a symbol that has become synonymous not only with the University of Montana, but also the city itself. This story first appeared on Make It Missoula in September 2010.Īt 620 feet above the city of Missoula on the slope of Mt.

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