The “M” on Mount Zion was built, with little fanfare, in 1908.
Taking advantage of the holiday last Friday, School of Mines students placed a mammoth “M” near the summit of Mount Zion. It is constructed of rocks which were whitewashed after being placed, and is 100 by 80 feet. It is easily distinguishable with the naked eye from many points in Denver.
Colorado Transcript, May 21, 1908
The following year, the class of 1912 added a “12” next to the giant M. Apparently the class of 1911 found that offensive, and they used dynamite to blast away the 12. After that, the incoming freshmen contented themselves with refreshing the whitewash on the M each year.
Within a few years, the M was regarded as “historic,” and an indispensable symbol of the school.
In 1931, an attempt was made to blow up the M. Fortunately, it was an amateur job, and only a small section was harmed. The damaged was allegedly done by football rivals from Denver University.
Later that year, electric lights were added so that the M would shine by night as well as by day. Many local businesses and community members contributed to the cost of the electrical work. When the permanent wiring was ready, the Governor came to ceremonially flip the switch.
It wasn’t until 1932 that anyone thought to check the ownership of the land under the M. They learned that it belonged to Ernest Ramstetter, but he readily agreed to sell them the acre of ground under the M.
In 2008, the incandescent bulbs were replaced by L.E.D.s.
On special occasions, the Blue Key Honor Society, which has charge of the the M, will sometimes change the bulbs to turn the M into another shape (such as a jack-o-lantern on Halloween). At other times, they’ll change the color of the M–often to red at Christmas or on Valentine’s Day.
