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 practice of situating an "M" to represent high school on a mountain likely arose as a way to emulate the "Y" at Brigham Young University or the "S" at Snow College. Initially, this symbol was placed on Duncan Hill in 1919. By 1928–29, the block "M" had been erected using plain rocks over about an acre of land.