Sentinel Peak (Arizona)

Sentinel Peak, or more commonly known as 'A' Mountain, is a prominent ridge in the Tucson Mountains west of Tucson, Arizona.

Related Topics:
Tucson Mountains - Tucson - Arizona

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'A' Mountain features a large, painted, man-made letter 'A' basalt rock formation. The 'A' is in honor of the University of Arizona located several miles to the East. The 'A' is maintained by student organizations at the school, and has been traditionally painted white. In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the A was painted red, white, and blue. On St. Patrick's Day, the 'A' is often painted green. The 'A' has also been illegally painted various colors as a platform for political messages.

Related Topics:
Basalt - University of Arizona - September 11, 2001 - St. Patrick's Day - Green

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The idea for the 'A' began in 1914 after the Arizona team defeated Pomona College in a big football game. A civil engineering student on the team convinced one of his professors to include the project of creating the 'A' atop Sentinel Peak as a class assignment.

Related Topics:
1914 - Pomona College - Football - Civil engineering - Professors

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On March 4, 1916, the 'A' was whitewashed onto the mountain, measuring 70 feet wide and 160 feet tall. Basalt rock removed from Sentinel Peak was incorporated into the historic district of the University of Arizona campus.

Related Topics:
March 4 - 1916 - Mountain - Basalt - University of Arizona

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Arizona State University has a more recently-created 'A' Mountain near the school's football stadium. During the week of the ASU-UA football game, rival fans and students try to paint the 'A' of the opposing school with their own school colors.

Related Topics:
Arizona State University - Football

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