M-Hill
“M-Hill” holds a lot of history and tradition, but has lately grown a lot of attraction with the trails leading up to the letters and plaques. These trails are kid-accessible and give a panoramic view of Rapid City.
On top of “M-Hill” are 3 letters (S, M, and D) and graduation plaques containing the names and majors of every South Dakota School of Mines graduate. You can view these letters and plaques any time during the by taking a 45 minute hike up what is known as “M-Hill.” At the top of “M-Hill”, by the letters, is a great picnic area that gives a panoramic view of Rapid City, SD.
History:
The construction of the letter “M” took place on top of what was known as “Cowboy Hill,” and is now known as “M-Hill,” on October 8th, 1912. This was possible because the President of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Dr. C. C. O’Harra, gave the students and teachers the day off. Around 75 students and teachers joined in the building of the letter “M.” The “M” was originally constructed as a form of advertisement for the School of Mines.
It took 2 teams of horses to loosen and remove the soil in order for the 100 wagon loads of rock to be placed down. It wasn’t until 1922 that the rock “M” was replaced with concrete. Then in 1953, a group of senior students added the letters “S” and “D” along each side of the letter “M.” These 3 letters can be seen from about 12 miles away, and are illuminated during the nighttime by 2 steel poles that were set up in 2010.
Tradition:
Along with the letters, there are also traditions that are held on top of “M-Hill.” Plaques were and currently are placed alongside of the letters and hold the names and majors of every graduate of the School of Mines from 1922, and every year the School of Mines holds a whitewashing tradition. During the whitewashing tradition, students trek up the hill and slip-n-slide down the letter “M” with the help of white paint.
“M-Hill” holds a lot of history and tradition, but has lately grown a lot of attraction with the trails leading up to the letters and plaques. These trails are kid-accessible and give a panoramic view of Rapid City.
On top of “M-Hill” are 3 letters (S, M, and D) and graduation plaques containing the names and majors of every South Dakota School of Mines graduate. You can view these letters and plaques any time during the by taking a 45 minute hike up what is known as “M-Hill.” At the top of “M-Hill”, by the letters, is a great picnic area that gives a panoramic view of Rapid City, SD.
History:
The construction of the letter “M” took place on top of what was known as “Cowboy Hill,” and is now known as “M-Hill,” on October 8th, 1912. This was possible because the President of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Dr. C. C. O’Harra, gave the students and teachers the day off. Around 75 students and teachers joined in the building of the letter “M.” The “M” was originally constructed as a form of advertisement for the School of Mines.
It took 2 teams of horses to loosen and remove the soil in order for the 100 wagon loads of rock to be placed down. It wasn’t until 1922 that the rock “M” was replaced with concrete. Then in 1953, a group of senior students added the letters “S” and “D” along each side of the letter “M.” These 3 letters can be seen from about 12 miles away, and are illuminated during the nighttime by 2 steel poles that were set up in 2010.
Tradition:
Along with the letters, there are also traditions that are held on top of “M-Hill.” Plaques were and currently are placed alongside of the letters and hold the names and majors of every graduate of the School of Mines from 1922, and every year the School of Mines holds a whitewashing tradition. During the whitewashing tradition, students trek up the hill and slip-n-slide down the letter “M” with the help of white paint.