The tradition of having an "M" representing the high school on the mountain likely originated in an attempt to imitate the "Y" for Brigham Young University in Provo or the "S" for Snow College in Ephraim. Originally the "M" was on Duncan Hill in 1919. In 1928–29 the block M was made in its current location out of plain rocks over about an acre of land.
The custom of placing an "M" to signify high school on a mountain probably developed as a means to replicate the symbols at Brigham Young University or Snow College. Initially, this symbol was positioned on Duncan Hill in 1919. By 1928–29, the block "M" had been constructed using plain rocks over approximately an acre of land.