History of the 'M'

The 'M' is located on the southeast side of Big Butte, the landmark from which Butte took its name. The 'M' was constructed in the Spring of 1910 by students from the 'Montana School of Mines,' often referred to add the Mines, thus the 'M.' With the three graduating seniors of 1910 who had previously surveyed the area, the students at the Mines helped layout the giant block-type letter. An estimated 441 tons of rhyolite was then hailed to the 'M.' On May 20, 1910, all 50 students at the Mines hauled water and lime to the site to whitewash the 75-foot wide by 91-foot long 'M.' In 1912, serifs were added to the letter to make it 90 feet wide. Lighting of the 'M' came on May 2, 1962, when Montana Governor Tim Babcock threw the switch illuminating the 130 bulbs. The project was a joint effort of the Montana School of Mines, the Anaconda Co., Butte Machinery, and the Montana Power Co. In the Spring of 1978, the 'M' was rewired to flash a 'V' in the wake of a Montana Tech athletic victory. The Senior Class of Montana Tech, the Montana Tech Alumni Association, together with the Montana Tech Foundation, placed this plaque on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the 'M' -- Homecoming, September 29, 1990